
Class rkVl/^S' 
Boot Rk% 



DOBELL COLLECTION 



w 



WJV. Hvv VcL|Wa-\o-wkf^^ 




\ 



( 



r'*^^ 




'mm: 







)AJ"' ^ 




A HISTORY 



ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY, 

FROM ITS INSTITUTION 
TO THE PRESENT TIME. 



EDITED BY 



-A. TOJXIOI^HIIjITE 



/ 



1 8 e r. 



PRINTED FOR PRIVATE CIRCULATION ONLY. 






205449 
'13 



H. Abraham, Printer, Taunton. 



PREFACE, 



Jj^HE pretensions of this little Brochure are of a very 
^^ humble character, and the Editor puts forth no 
claim for originality, for indeed it can only be considered 
as a compilation of extracts from the works of Roberts, 
Sir H. Ellis, Waring, Hansard, &c., bearing more par- 
ticularly on the history of the Royal Toxophilite Society, 
of which the Editor is a member, and also of accounts 
of some of the contests of it's earlier members, &c., taken 
from the Society's Records, for which, as also for a des- 
cription of it's various valuable and interesting relics, the 
Editor is indebted to the kind courtesy and unwearied 
labours of the present Hon. Secretary. 

Probably not many Archers have read the works of 
Roberts, &c , as they are now very scarce, and perhaps 
much of the matter would be considered rather dry and 
uninteresting, yet many of the Royal Toxophilites would, 
the Editor thinks, like to have put together in a small 
work, the information which has reference to their own 
Society, hence this publication, in the compiling of which 
he has had personal gratification, and hopes it may not 
be an unacceptable gift to his fellow members. 

As there may be many interesting facts relative to 
the R. T. S. known to old Toxophilites, of which the 
Editor is not aware, and which could be embodied in a 
future edition of this work, he will feel obliged by their 
being communicated to him to the care of W. Butt, Esq., 
Hon. Secretary, Archers' Lodge, Regent's Park. 



Mt |UpI feopMIitc ^oi'u% 



iser 



President. 

THE RIGHT HON. THE EARL OF DUDLEY. 

Vice- Pre side n ts , 
WILLIAM PETERS, ESQ. 
WM. F. POLLOCK, ESQ. 
SIR W. J. W. BAYNES, BART. 

Treasurer. 

JAMES SPEDDING, ESQ. 

Hon. Secretary. 

W. BUTT, ESQ. 

Suh- Treasurer. 

R. BUTT, ESQ. 

Committee. 

THE RIGHT HON. THE EARL OF DUDLEY, 

President, 
W. PETERS, ESQ. 
W. F. POLLOCK, ESQ. 
SIR W. J. W. BAYNES, BART. 
J. SPEDDING, ESQ., Treasurer. 
W. BUTT, ESQ., Honorary Secretary. 
R. BUTT, ESQ., Sub-Treasurer. 
A. T. MALKIN, ESQ. 
MONEY WIGRAM, JUNR., ESQ. 
J. A. FROUDE, ESQ. 
J. STOPFORD, ESQ. 
WM. W. SPOTTISWOODE, ESQ., F.R.S. 
T. BOULTON, JUNR., ESQ. 



Vice- 
Presidents. 



*Honourable Daniel Finch 

* Captain W. West 

* Reverend James Holmes 
William Peters 
George Holland Ackers 
*The Duke of Buccleuch, K.G., F 
The Earl of Dudley 
Money Wigram, Junr. 
Henry Peters 
Percival S. Wilkinson 
Henry Blanshard 
William George Campbell 
Nathan Wetherell 
James Spedding . 
Arthur T. Malkin 
Edward Headlam 
John J. Spedding 
Sir W. J. W. Baynes, Bart, 
Lionel Oliver 
Colonel Sir C. J. J. Hamilton, Bart 
Reverend W. J. Richardson 
William Frederick Pollock 
John Bentley 
James Anthony Froude 
J. Sidney Stopford 
Anthony J. A. Wilkinson 
Thomas Boulton 
H. A.Merewether, a.C. 
Frederic W. Steward 
F. E. Prothero . 
William Butt 
Richard Butt 

*Life Members. 



R.S. 



C.B. 



ELECTED 
18.17 

1828 
1831 

1834 

1840 
1850 
1851 



1853 

1855 
1856 



1857 

1858 
1859 



1860 
1861 



1862 
1863 



Philip Butt 

Sir Edward Archibald Hajmilton, Bart. 

Thomas Dawson . 

George E. Hicks 

Wm. Henry Barkwortli 

Edward Wilkinson 

William Longman 

Richard Addison 

W. C. Carbonell 

G. Hewett, M.D. 

W. W. Spottiswoode, F.R.J 

Samuel Banner 

Thomas W. Hinchliff 

Arthur Foster 

Stephen Dowell 

E. R. Willis 

Rev. W, R. K. Bedford 

John Clerk 

John Whitcombe 

Launcelot W. Dent 

R. Entwisle 

Sir R. M. Stephenson 

Captain Lewin, R.E. 

Reverend J. H. Ellis 



1863 
1864 

1865 



1866 



1867 



Captain Norton. 



Sir A. Malet, Bart. 



(P^Dl^STfj^^ ffimiBlIEic 





ELECTED 


Archer R. Tawney 


1858 


Captain H. Walters 


5) 


Chamberlayne Chamberlayne 


„ 


Reverend C. H. Everett 


1859 


J. W. Rimington 


" 


Reverend W. S. Miller . 


• )» 


Honourable R. Hely-Hutchinson 


1860 


Reverend J. M. Croker 


J5 


Reverend G. E Golightly 


)J 


Edmund N. Snow 


1862 


Reverend Lymebear Harding 


>» 


Edward Maitland 


» 


L. T. Raines 


>» 


G. A. Muttlebury 


» 


Thos. Lane Coulson 


5> 


Reverend W. Rimington 


1864 


Edward Calverley 


1865 


Reverend Fras. Turner Gill 


55 


W. E. Brymer . . . . 


55 


Reverend W. Weller-Poley 


1866 


J. R. Thomson 


95 


Richard Blanshard 


55 


Reverend J. C. Pigot 


55 


Captain C. F. Compton . 


55 


Reverend J. B. Wenn . . . 


1867 


Capt. H. H. St. Leger . 


59 


Colonel A. Robertson 


55 


Admiral A. Lowe 


55 


M. W. Thompson 


55 


Reverend 0. K. Prescott 


55 


Colonel M. Ward . 


59 


W. Bolitho 


95 


T. Mariot Dodington 


95 




JN a history of the Royal Toxophilite Society we are 
necessarily compelled to refer to that of the Hon, 
Artillery Company of London, and of the Finsbury 
Archers, in consequence of the. connexion which existed 
between them in former days. 

In the year 1514 the Citizens of London practised 
Archery in the Fields about Islington, Hoxton, and 
Shoreditch. Henry viii. was particularly fond of 
Archery, and commissioned in 1537 Sir Christopher 
Morris, Master of the Ordnance, to revive the amuse- 
ment, which at that time was rather drooping, by 
establishing a Society of Archers, which was called 
" The Fraternitye or Guylde of St. George,"* which 
obtained from the King many privileges ; they were 
constituted " Overseers of the Scyence of Artyllery, 
that ys, to wyt, for Long-bowes, Cross-bowes, and 
Hand-gunes," 

The Archers of St. George used to assemble in 
Lolesworth or Spital-fields, and the name of their place 
of exercise at this spot was " Teasel-close," so called 
from the thistles with which it abounded. 

* This ancient Fr^-ternity of St. George must not be supposed 
to be represented bj^n Archery Society bea]?^ng the same name, 
and existing not matny years ago at St. John's vVood. 



many 



8 ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 

The Hon. Artillery Company had its origin about 
1585, when London being wearied with continual mus- 
ters, a number of its gallant Citizens who had served 
abroad with credit, voluntarily exercised themselves and 
trained others to the ready use of War ; the Ground 
they used was at the North East extremity of the City, 
nigh Bishopsgate, the same which had before been 
occupied by the above mentioned Fraternity of Artillery. 
Fort Street, Artillery Street and Lane adjoin Spital 
Square, and by their names identify the spot. Within 
2 years there were near 300 Merchants and others suf- 
ficiently skilled to train common Soldiers, and in 1588 
some of them had commissions in the Camp at Tilbury, 
but their associations soon after fell into decay ; yet as 
the Company has never since its first creation been alto- 
gether extinct, it is at present the earliest representative 
of the English Standing Army. From the Company's 
Register, the only book they saved in the Civil Wars, 
it appears that the Association was revived in 1611, by 
warrant from the Privy Council, and the Volunteers 
soon amounted to 6,000 ; Three Years after this they 
made a general muster, when according to contemporary 
authority the men were better armed than disciplined, 
(NiccoU's London Artillerie, p. 104). In 1622 they 
erected an Armoury, towards which the Chamber of 
London gave £300, it was furnished with 500 sets of 
Arms of extraordinary beauty, which were all lost in the 
Civil Wars. Their Captain during a part of those 
affrighted times was a Mr. Manby who irrevocably 
detained for his own purposes the Arms, Plate, Money, 
Books, and other Goods of the Company; the Protector 
was in vain solicited to enforce their being restored. In 
1640 they quitted their old field of discipline and 
entered upon the plot of ground they now occupy in 
Bunhill Fields, leased to them by the City. This ground 
is described as a parcel of ground consisting of Gardens, 
Orchards, &c., situate on the North side of Chiswell 
Street, and called by the name of Bunhill Fields, which 
was in 1498 converted into a spacious Field for the use 
of the London Archers, which is now known by the 



ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 9 

name of the Artillery Ground. For many years they 
kept up an Archery Division, Archery being the Art 
cultivated by the Company in their earliest days, when 
the Bow was an instrument of War. In the course of 
time this Division was abolished, but Archery was still 
kept alive in the neighbourhood of London, by the 
Finsbury Archers ; even this remnant of Archery had 
almost died out when the few survivors joined Sir Ashton 
Lever in starting the Toxophilite Society in 1781. Some 
years later the Members of the Artillery Company appear 
to have resumed the Bow, as they occupied 2 pairs of 
Targets at the Grand Meeting of Archery Societies on 
Blackheath, in 1792, and the Toxophilite Society in its 
earlier years, mostly held their principal Meetings in the 
Company's Grounds, But the Finsbury Archers have 
never re-appeared, and the Archers division of the Hon. 
Artillery Company has also become merged into the 
Royal Toxophilite Society. 

In 1682 there was a most magnificent Cavalcade 
and Entertainment given by the Archers of Finsbury, 
Charles II. being present. So lately as 1753 Targets 
were erected in Finsbury-Fields during the Easter and 
Whitsun Holydays, when the best Shooter was styled 
Captain, for the ensuing year, and the second, Lieutenant. 

For many years previous to the Institution of the 
Toxophilite Society, there were but few Finsbury Archers 
surviving ; the most celebrated and vigorous of the 
survivors, W. P. Constable, brought with him the valua- 
bles of the expiring Society into the then infant Society, 
and those valuables hereafter to be more fully described 
form one of the most interesting links between Archery 
of ancient and modern times. 

It is stated that about 1776 Mr.' Waring (Father 
of the well known Bowyer of Caroline Street, Bedford 
Square,*) who has always been regarded as the Father 

* Mr Waring has long retired from business, but still resides 
in Caroline Street, and though advanced in years, enjoys a green 



10 ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 

of modern Archery, being tlien resident with Sir Ashton 
Lever, Kt., in Leicester House, and having by con- 
tinued application to business contracted an affection 
upon his chest which the Doctors could not relieve, 
resolved to try the effect of Archery. He commenced, 
and continued the practice regularly, and ascribed his 
cure, which was perfect, solely to the use of the Bow. 

Sir Ashton Lever, himself observing from the good 
effects produced upon Mr. Waring, the healthy nature 
of Archery as an exercise, and its strengthening influence 
on the constitution, also adopted the use of the Bow, 
He was soon joined by several friends who formed 
themselves into a Society under the Title of the Toxophi- 
LiTE Society. They met constantly to practise Archery 
on the Lawn at the back of Leicester House. Here 
Butts were erected, but the space being limited in range,-}" 
the Society's principal Meetings and Prize Days were 
held on other Grounds of larger extent, such as Cannon- 
bury House, Islington ; Highbury Barn ; but principally 
the Artillery Ground, before mentioned. The Society 
a])pears to have been constituted from the first after the 
model of the Hon. Artillery Company, having a Presi- 
dent, Sir. Ashton Lever, himself; a Vice-President, 
Mr. R. Haworth, who it is believed, himself belonged 
to the Hon. Artillery Company ; a Chaplain, the Rev. 
"W. Watts; a Treasurer, Mr. Thos. Waring; a Captain; 

old age and interests himself in Parochial affairs. Mr. Waring, 
Sent., subscribed to the Hon. Artillery Company down to the 
year 1804, and at the dissolution of the Archers' Division, became 
possessed of, amongst other things, two large handsome China 
Punch Bowls, two large Jugs, and two Drinking Cups, all to 
match, and ornamented with the Arms of the Archers' Division, 
these are now in Caroline Street. 

f The Gardens behind Leicester House (now better known 
as Savile House) extended to the back of Gerard Street, Lisle 
Street not being then in existence, and several Noblemen residing 
in Gerard Street were allowed to have private entrances into the 
Gardens ; there w\as space for three pairs of Targets. Mr. Waring, 
Senr., was the last tenant of Leicester House, leaving it in 1791", 



ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 11 

a Lieutenant, and other Members. This Society which 
numbered but few Members, at first about 14, used also 
to hold convivial Meetings in Leicester House, or, when 
their numbers were too considerable, at the London 
Tavern, or Freemason's Tavern, or some such other 
place of entertainment. 

Out of this small begining arose in a very few years 
the Royal Toxophilite Society, whose first Patron was 
H. R,. H. George, Prince of Wales. 

The Society at one time numbered about 170 Mem- 
bers, and became the parent of many other Societies, 
some of which have like the Woodmen of Arden survived 
with high repute up to the present day, but many died 
out again owing to the more serious employment of men 
during the Peninsular War, which during the period 
between 1800 and 1820 brought the Royal Toxophilite 
Society also down to a very small number again. It is 
but fair to mention that some of the Societies claim equal 
antiquity in uninterrupted succession, as for instance the 
Royal Company of Archers, of Edinburgh, who date 
back to the time of James IL of Scotland, and are now 
about 500 strong ; the Kilwinnmg Papingo celebrated 
their 384th Anniversary in 1866 ; the ancient Yorkshire 
Arrow Meeting was instituted in 1673, and has been 
held without interruption ever since ; the Woodmen of 
Arden revived in 1785 ; but some of these Societies have 
held so closely to the models of antiquity that in these 
Days of 'York Rounds ' modern Archers scarcely know 
whether they be Archers or not. 



12 ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 



PATRONS. 

1787, H. R. H. George, Prince of Wales. 
His Majesty King William IV. 
H. R, H. the Prince Consort. 



LADY PATRONESSES. 

] 789, The Right Hon. Lady Jane James. 

1801, Mrs. Crespigny, (afterwards Lady DeCrespigny.) 



PRESIDENTS. 

1781, Sir Ashton Lever, Kt. 

1788, The Right Hon. Heneage, 4th Earl of Aylesford. 
1 788, His Grace the Duke of Norfolk. 

1789, His Grace the Duke of Leeds. 
1797, His Grace Francis, Duke of Bedford. 
1802, His Grace John. Duke of Bedford. 

1830 The Right Hon. Heneage, 5th Earl of Aylesford. 
1850, The Right Hon. the Earl of Dudley. 

SECRETARIES & HON. SECRETARIES. 

1781, Mr. Wheeler was Secretary, but was obliged to 

resign, and Mr. P. Constable, Junr., was 

appointed Hon. Secretary. 
1783, Mr. Charles Scott, Hon. Secretary. 
From 1781 to 1S04 Mr. Waring managed the affairs of 

the Society as Secretary and Treasurer. 
1804. Mr. Thomas Roberts, (Author of the English 

Bowman.) 
1807, Mr. Swynfen Jervis, H. S. 
1814, Mr. J. R. Arnold, H. S. 



ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 13 

HON. SECRETARIES, (Continued). 

1819, The Hon. Daniel Finch. H. S. 

1829, Mr. R. N. Gresley, H. S. 

1837, Mr. Alex. Glen Finlaison, H. S. 

1843, Mr. J. Green Wilkinson, H. S. 

1849, Mr. H. Lysons Price, H. S. 

1852, The Rev. O. Luard, H. S. 

1853, Mr. Money Wigram, Junr., H. S. 
1856, Mr. S. G. R. Strong, H. S. 

1858, Captain E. Boggis, (now Boggis-Rolfe,) H. S. 

1862, The Rev. W. J. Richardson, H. S. 

1865, Mr. VV. Butt, H. S. 



TREASURERS. 

1781, Mr. Waring. 

1810, Mr. Francis Barker. 

1814, Mr. Arthur R. Barker. 

1829, The Hon. Daniel Finch. 

1866, Mr. James Spedding. 




14 ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 



JN the first year, 1781, the Subscription appears to 
have been 42s., and a further contribution of 25s. for 
Stock, &c., was paid by most of the Members ; Income 
£48 4s. ; Expenses £44 2s. ; the Annual Target was 
shot at Cannonbury House, Islington. 

1782. The Easter, Whitsun, and Annual Target 
Days were held at Highbury; Members 17; Hon. 
Members 2, the Hon. Daines Barrington, and General 
Oglethorpe; the Subscription 21s.; Income £43 5s. ; 
Expenses £31 7s. 6d. 

1783. The Easter, Whitsun, and Annual Target 
Days were held at Highbury Barn ; Members 19 ; Sub- 
scription 21s.; Income £42 18s. 9d. ; Expenses £55 
8jd. In this year Chas. Stott was Hon. Secretary. 

1784. The Easter Target Day was held at Vaux- 
hall, the Whitsun Target at Cannonbury House, and the 
Annual Target Day in the Hon Artillery Company's 
Grounds; Members 27; Subscription 63s.; Income 
£54 12s. ; Expenses £53 5s. e^d. 

1785. The Easter, Whitsun, and Annual Target 
Days were held in the Artillery Ground ; Members 36 ; 
Subscription 63s. ; Income £98 3s. 4jd. ; Expenses 
£98 14s. 9d. 

1786. The Shooting was still at the Artillery 
Grounds; Members 58; Subscription 63s.; Income 
£175 2si ; Expenses £184 9s. 8. The Society possessed 
the freedom of the Royal Company of Archers of 
Scotland. (Vide p. .) 



ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 15 

1787. On June 18th, H. R. H. George, Prince 
of Wales, beeanie the Patron ; Members 67 ; Subscrip- 
tion 63s. ; Entrance Fee 21s.; Income £208 Is. 8d. ; 
Expenses £197 7s. 11. The Shooting on the 3 Target 
Days was still at the Artillery Grounds. The Society 
possessed the freedom of the Woodmen of Arden. 

1788. Sir Ashton Lever died, and the Earl of 
Aylesford, who had become a Member in 1784, was 
elected President; he was shortly succeeded by the 
Duke of Norfolk, who had become a Member in April 
previous ; the Shooting was still at the Artillery Grounds ; 
Income £324 16s. Id.; Expenses £240 12s. lOjd. 

1789. The Duke of Leeds was elected May 18th, 
1789, and succeeded the Duke of Norfolk* as President, 
and held the office till October 6th, 1797 ; the Society 
possessed the freedom of the Kentish Bowmen, Dartford 
Heath, Kent. Previous to this period the Honors and 
Prizes on the Target Days had all gone to the Captains 
and Lieutenants of Targets, i.e. the maker of the best 
and second best hit, and the Officers held Challenge 
Jewels, presented by W. Haworth ; a Medal for the 
Captain of Numbers, presented by Geo. Biggin, (a Mem- 
ber in 1786-7-8); and another for the Lieutenant of 
Numbers, presented by the Hon. H. W. Fitzroy, (a 
Member in 1786-7-8-9), were added to the Valuables 
belonging to the Society, It seems by a list dated 1785 
that Jewels for the President and Vice-President had 
been presented by Charles Sherwin, (Member in 1782 
to 7) ; these Ornaments, it is feared, are now lost. The 
Spring and Annual Target Days were held on Lord's 
Cricket Ground ; the Prince's and Lady Patroness's 
Targets on the Artillery Grounds. Lady Jane James 
became the Lady Patroness in this year. Income £406 
15s. Sjd.; Expenses £361 lis. Ud. 



16 ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 

The following Letter will explain the origin of the 
Lady Patroness's Target : — 

"Madam, 

I am directed by the Toxophilite Society 
to offer to your Ladyship their sincere thanks for the 
Honor which your Ladyship has proposed to confer on 
them, by presenting to them an honorary Badge or some 
other mark of distinction ; your Ladyship has been 
pleased to desire that the Toxophilite Society would 
suggest what particular mark of distinction they would 
wish to receive, but as they cannot presume to dictate to 
your Ladyship, they request that your Ladyship will 
have the goodness to fix on that which will be most 
agreeable to yourself. 

If it should suit with your Ladyship's approbation, 
the Toxophilite Society will Shoot a Target in the 
Artillery Ground on Saturday the 31st instant, on which 
day the Toxophilites who shall shoot his Arrow nearest 
the centre of the Target will be declared the Captain, 
and shall have the Honor of receiving the mark of 
distinction which will be given by your Ladyship. 

It is the intention of the Toxophilite Society to 
have a Target called the Target of the Lady Patroness, 
to be shot in future on such day in the year as your 
Ladyship shall be pleased to appoint, at which Target, 
your Ladyship's present will be Annually transferred to 
the Toxophilite who shall be declared the Captain. 

I have the Honor to be 
Your Ladyship's most obedient and very humble Servant, 

Wm. ROUTH, 

Assistant Secy, to Tox. Sec. 

Tox. Hall, 

Leicester House. 

Lady James, Lady Patroness of the Tox. Soc. 



ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 17 

The Right Hon. Lady Jane James, was 5th and 
youngest Daughter of Charles Pratt, 1st Earl Camden, 
and married in 1780 Walter James, Esq., created a 
Baronet in 1791. The Lady Jane James died in 1825. 
The Lady Jane James became Lady Patroness in 1789, 
and was succeeded by Mrs. Crespigny. 

1790. 21s. was paid to Mrs. Smith for her Drawing 
of a Bugle, presented by the Lady Patroness, Lady Jane 
James ; this Drawing is often mentioned in the Records, 
but is now lost. It is mentioned that £21 was paid for 
one year's rent of residence at Leicester House. The four 
Target Days were again shot in the Artillery Grounds. 
Members 146; Subscription 63s. ; Entrance Fee 21s. ; 
Income £543 7s. ; Expenses £340 5s. 7d. 

1791. Members 168 ; Subscription still 63s. ; but 
the Entrance Fee 63s.; Income £886 16s. 4f d. ; 
Expenses £739 14s. 4|d. The Shooting; now all took 
place in the Society's Grounds, rented from the Duke 
of Bedford at £80 per annum ; and £50 was annually 
paid for the Rooms and Cellars in Charlotte Street. 

1792. The Prince of Wales' first annual Prize 
was shot for August 14th, and won by Mr. Glen. There 
were 2 Dinners at the London Tavern, costing £53 and 
£56; also one at the Freemason's Tavern, costing £34. 
A large Drum was bought for £5 15s. 6d. ; also Clothing 
for the Musicians. Members 147; Income £693 15s. 
lOjd. ; Expenses £670 8s. 7|d. 

1793. A Grand Meeting of all the Archery 
Societies took place on Blackheath, July 2nd, Luncheon 
Bill £18 3s. 6d. 763 loads of Rubbish at 4d. per cart, 
were bought, probably for levelling the Shooting Ground. 
The value of the Prizes on the 4 Target Days was, the 
Spring Target £27 3s. ; the Annual or Summer- Target 
£30 lis. 6d. ; the Lady Patroness's Target £28 12s. 6d. 
the Prince's or Autumn Target £30 lis. 6d. Members 



ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 



128; Income £673 Os. 9d. ; Expenses £626 Is. 8|d. 
An extra call of 42s. was made from each Member. At 
the Prince's or Autumn Target, August 6th, the principal 
Scores were Mr. Glen 61 — 64s. 6d. ; Mr. Cazalet 50 — 
62s. 6d. ; Mr. Elwin 49— 55s. 6d. ; Mr. Glen shot with 
a Rest and therefore did not claim the Prize as Captain 
of Numbers, but it does not mention that he declined the 
64s. 6d. Members 75 ; Income £305 10s. 11. ; Expen- 
ses £294 lis. lOjd. 

1794. Mahmoud EfFendi was elected an Hon. 
Member. A general Annual Archery Meeting took 
place at Dulwich,* June 12th. By Cash paid for Lun- 
cheon at Dulwich £15 7s. The value of the Prizes at 
the Summer Target was £57 9s. 6d. ; at the Lady 
Patroness's Target £46 7s. ; at the Autumn Target 
£48 16s. 6d. ; Members 111 ; Income £603 7s. d^d. ; 
Expenses £558 6s. 9|d. 



Annual or Summer Target, June 9th, 
No. 1. Score. 



Mr. Bullock 



Rickards, Lieut, of Target 

Girdlestone 

Perrott - - - 

Vincent - - - 



42 
82 
35 
50 
20 



y^ 


.-— 




£ 


s. 


d. 


2 


7 





4 


8 





2 








2 


15 


6 


1 


3 


6 





£12 14 





No. 2. Score. 


£ s. 


d. 


Doctor Ainslie 


— 




Mr. Shepheard - - 47 


— 2 11 





„ Palmer, Cap. of Numbers 104 


— 6 6 


6 


„ Martin - - - 39 


— 2 9 





„ Hughes . - - 21 


— 1 7 





„ Kenyon - - - 37 


— 2 


6 




£14 14 






* Perhaps the Silver Gilt Star now worn on the Hon. Secre- 
tary's Ribbon of Office, was won by the Toxophilites for their 
Society on this occasion. 



ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 



19 



No. 3. Score. 

Duke of Leeds, President - 

Mr. Elwin - - - 86 

„ Cazalet - - - 58 

„ Troward - - - 77 

„ Waring - - - 59 

„ Moorhouse - - 14 



£ s. d. 



5 
3 
4 
3 
13 6 



5 6 

7 6 

9 

5 









£17 


6 


No. 4. 


Score. 




£ s. 


d. 


Mr. Haworth, V. P. 




— 






„ Glen, Lieut, of Numbers 


98 


— 


5 15 





l„ Cowper, Cap. of Target 


60 


— 


3 12 


6 


„ Hussard - - - 


36 


— 


2 6 





„ Crunden - - _ 


8 


— 


9 





„ Horton - _ - 


15 




18 
£13 1 


6 







Total 


£57 9 


6 



57 Double Ends. 228 Arrows. 

Mr. Crunden's Shooting on this day does not shine 
much, though he joined the Society in 1788, his name 
appears only 3 times in the Shooting Lists previous to 
tiiis occasion, viz : — once in 1791, and tvi^ice in 1792. 

The Scoring by Money Prizes disappears from the 
Records of the Society after this Year; and there 
appears to have been more Shooting, though the Society 
had become so much smaller. 



The method of Scoring by value of Prizes may be 
thus explained : each hit in the Gold counted, 2s. 6d. ; 
Red, 2s.; inner White or Blue, Is. 6d. ; Black, Is.; 
outer White, 6d. ; and the amount thus scored for each 
Shooter during the day, was paid to him out of the 
Society's Funds. No wonder they shot so many Arrows, 
when they were paid so well for shooting. This system 



20 ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 

is still in use in the "Woodmen of Arden," and may- 
account for their otherwise unaccountable partiality for 
impossible distances, as it must be evident that tlie less 
the Targets get hit, the more prosperous is the financial 
position of the Society. 

1795. Members 93 ; Income £675 17s. 6d. ; 
Expenses £682 9s. 4|d. It now became necessary to 
borrow £200 from 20 of the Members, (£10 each) which 
was never repaid ; they were Swynfen Jervis, T. Green, 
E. Baber, — Kenyon, R. Haworth, E. W. Shepheard, 
— Bullock, W. Barlow, J. Topham, P. Cazalet, 
T. Palmer, T. Waring, S. Girdlestone, J. Crunden, 
R. Troward, C. Wheeler, J. Brady, F. Newberry, 
W. Cowper, and W. Moorhouse; most of the above 
were Vice-Presidents at different periods. 

1796. Members 75; Income £305 10s. lid.; 
Expenses £294 Os. lOjd. 

1797. Members 59 ; an extra call was made of 
63s. from each Member ; Income £325 17s. 6^d ; 
Expenses £283 12s. 2d. 

1798. The Annual Subscription was raised to 
£5 5s., and an extra call of 89s. was made from each 
Member ; 3 years' arrears of Rent were cleared off, and 
there appears to have been Money raised by a Sale held 
in the course of the year. Members 31 ; Income £414 
16s. 7id.; £136 lOs.; Expenses £401 16s. 9jd.; £96 3s. 

1799. Subscription £5 5s.; Entrance Fee 21s.; 
Members 30; Income £235 2s. 5d. ; Expenses £188 
Is. 4d. 

1800. Members 25; Income £242 14s. 7d. ; 

Expenses £188 7s. lOd. 

1801. Members 25 ; Income 241 ' Os. 2d. ; 
Expenses £210 13s. Ijd. 



ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 21 

The following is a copy of Mrs. Crespigny's Let- 
ter, accepting the office of Lady Patroness : — 

Sir, 

I must beg that you will assure the Toxophilite 
Society that I think myself highly flattered by the offer 
made me of being their Patroness. You will be pleased 
to add that I shall receive such a mark of distinction with 
a due sense of the Honor done me. With my sincere 
good wishes for the prosperity of your respectable Society, 
and my best thanks for the very polite manner m which 
you have communicated the request, 

I am. Sir, 

Your most obedient and most humble Servant, 

MARY CHAMPION CRESPIGNY. 

Champion Lodge, May 1st, 1801. 

1802. Members 30; Income £244 14s. 6|d. ; 
Expenses £221 8s. 5|d. 

1803. Members rather above 30; 14 Members 
contributed each £6 6s. extra; Income £261 12s. 6f d. ; 
Expenses £271 18s. 

1 804. Number of Members unknown ; Income 
£277 18s. 2d. ; Expenses £245 19s. 2|d. 

1805. The Society lost their Grounds at Bedford 
Square and there are no further Records extant showing 
the strength of the Society, the Income, or Expenditure, 
for many years subsequent to this date. 

The Records of the Shooting end with 1804. 



22 ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 



Annual or Summer Target, June 13th, 1810. — 

Resolved, that the two Bows presented by R. 
Haworth, Esq., be shot for on Wednesday, 27th inst. ; 
the Captain of Numbers to have his choice, the other to 
be as a Prize for the Captain of Target. That the 
Secretary be desired to write to Mr. Haworth thanking 
him for his present, and inviting him to Dinner at half- 
past Three o'clock. 

Wednesday, 27th. No Medals given up, none there- 
fore presented. Mr. Crunden as Captain of Numbers 
had his choice of the said Bows ; Mr. Cazalet as Captain 
of Target had the remaining Bow. 

Winter Meeting, Freemason's Tavern, Monday, 
February 18th, 1811.— 

The Treasurer's Accounts were Audited, and the 
balance in favour of the Society appears to be £16 10s. 

It was unanimously resolved that at the Public 
Target days, which the Secretary is requested to fix with 
Mr. Willoughby, any day nearest the 9th of the month, 
that the Dinner be a cold one, and on the Table at 
3 o'clock precisely. 

Summer Target, Highbury, June 10th, 1812. — 

Sir Henry Martin read a Letter he had received 
from our Lady Patroness, (Lady DeCrespigny), wherein 
she informed him that she had ordered a Silver Goblet, 
for the best shot in the day's shooting, and a Medal 
for the Captain of Numbers ; the day to be fixed by 
the Society. 



ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 23 

The Members present settled that the same should 
be shot for at the next Target Day, the 8th July, to be 
shot at Mr. Willoughby's, Highbury Barn, (notices to 
the Members to be sent as soon as possible), also to 
mention that the Goblet and Medal are ready, and may 
be seen at Hamlet's, Silversmith, Princes Street, Coven- 
try Street. The Shooting to begin at two, to dine at 
four o'clock, to commence at six and conclude at eight. 

Lady Patroness's Target, Highbury, July 8th, 
1812.— 

Sir H. Martin brought with him the Prizes presen- 
ted to the Society by Lady DeCrespigny, viz. : a Silver 
Goblet and Silver Medal. The Prizes of the day 
belonging to the Society, viz. ; the Silver Bugle is in 
the possession of Mr. Crunden, the Horn Bugle in Mr. 
Secretary Jervis's. 

On the close of the Shooting Sir. H. Martin was 
declared Cap. of Target, and Cap. of Numbers (24), 
but as it was previously understood that one Member 
could not carry away the two Prizes, but must make his 
selection, Sir H. Martin, as Cap. of Target, claimed 
the Silver Cup, and Mr. Baber being Lieut, of Numbers 
(22) was presented with the Silver Medal, for Numbers. 
The Secretary was requested to write a letter to Lady 
DeCrespigny thanking her for the honour she has done 
the Society, and acquainting her with the event of the 
day's Shooting. 

Sir H. Martin, Cap. 7 x. m 

c? i T • T • X r of Target. 

Swynfen Jervis, Lieut, y ^ 

Sir H. Martin, Cap. of Numbers, 24. 
E. Baber, Lieut, of ditto, 22. 

Sir H. Martin, 24; Baber, 22; Roberts, 14; 
Crunden, 14; Girdlestone, 14; Jervis, 9 ; Palmer, 6; 
A. Barker, 3. 

38 double ends, or 152 Arrows Shot. 



24 ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 

Toxophilite Winter Meeting, Freemason's Tavern, 
February 20tli. 1815. — 

In consequence of the- low state of the Society's 
Funds, it was proposed that the annual sum. of 5 Guineas 
paid to Mr. Waring be discontinued at the expiration of 
the present year, of which notice shall be given by the 
Secretary ; and that the Treasurer be requested to take 
charge of the Society's Property, now under Mr. 
Waring's care, should Mr. W. object to keep it. Moved, 
that the Medals belonging to the Society be collected. 

Toxophilite Winter Meeting, Freemason's Tavern, 
February 28th, 1816.— 

The three years being completed, the Gold Medal 
was presented to Mr. Jervis, as Cap. of Numbers ; the 
Silver Medal* was left in the hands of the Treasurer, to be 
presented by him to Mr. Crunden, as Lieut, of Numbers. 

Read a letter from Mr. Waring, respecting his new 
Archery Ground. 

Resolved, that the Secretary do answer the letter. 

It being necessary to ascertain the exact number of 
actual Members of the Society, 

Resolved, that those Gentlemen whose Subscriptions 
are in arrear be requested to inform the Secretary whether 
they consider themselves Members of the Society, and 
intend to pay their arrears. 

That it is proper to ascertain in whose hands the 
Annual Prize Medals are, and that the Treasurer be 
desired to make enquiry thereon, and report accordingly. 

Toxophilite Winter Meeting, Freemason's Tavern, 
February 24th, 1817.— 

Resolved, that other Gentlemen than these,The Duke 

* This now forms part of the • Crunden Cup.' 



ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 25 

of Bedford, President ; Thos. Palmer, Fras. Newberry, 
John Crunden, Sir H. Martin, Bart., Vice-Presidents ; 
Swynfen Jervis, E. W. Shepheard, Thos. Roberts, Ed. 
Baber, J. R. Arnold, C. Willson, Sam. Hurd, S. Jervis, 
Junr., A. R. Barker, Hon. D. Finch, Jas. Evans, be 
considered as having virtually or actually resigned. 

That the Treasurer do pay one Guinea for each of 
Target Dinners, out of the Funds. 

Toxophilite Winter Meeting, Freemason's Tavern, 
February 20th, 1818.— 

Resolved, that the Die for the Archer's Button 
being lost, the Treasurer do procure a new one, with the 
motto Centrum Pete, and the new Die do remain in 
his care for the use of the Society. 



Lady Patroness's Target, Highbury, June 5th, 
1818.— 

Present, Messrs. Roberts, Jervis, Shepheard, Crun- 
den, Finch, Barker, C. Arnold. 

Woodmen of Arden : — Lord Aylesford, Messrs. 
Palmer, Hudson, Legge, Adams, Shirley. 

Memorandum of Shooting: — Roberts, 27; Jervis, 
23; Shepheard, 12; Crunden, 14; C. Arnold, 11; 
Barker, 10. Aylesford, 16; Palmer, 16; Hudson, 13 ; 
hegge, 7 ; Adams, 25 ; Shirley, 1 ; Finch, 23 ; 48 ends. 

Barker, Cap. of Target ; Crunden, Lieut, ditto ; 
Roberts, (27) Capt. of Numbers. 

This day's Shooting was a Match between the 
'Woodmen of Arden, and the Toxophilites ; the Arden 
gained by 4 Arrows. 



26 ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 

Toxophilite Anniversary, Freemason's Tavern, April 
20th, 1820.— 

Resolved, that there be a Meeting of the Society 
on 4th May, to take into consideration the means of 
procuring a ground for Archery, the House at High- 
bury being shut up. 

That in future no money should be advanced by the 
Treasurer towards paying for the Dinner, on the Target 
Days. 

The Meeting 4th May, at the Clarendon Hotel. — 

Resolved, that if possible leave should be obtained 
to shoot our Targets this year on Lord's Cricket Ground, 
paying not more than 3 Guineas each day. 

Memorandum. — Mr. Lord accepted these terms. 



Toxophilite Meeting at the Freemason's Tavern, 
November 14th, 1820.— 

Resolved, that it was expedient to treat with Mr. 
Waring for the use of his Archery Ground, provided 
that the agreement be determinate by the Society on 
giving 6 months notice. 

That the following Members be appointed a Com- 
mittee for the purpose of making an agreement with 
Mr. Waring, and providing that the ground if taken, be 
put into proper order for Shooting: — Messrs. Crunden, 
Bolt, Briscoe, Hudson, Finch. 

That the Subscription for the ensuing year should 
be £6 each Member, that it should be paid on or before 
the Anniversary, and that after that day Mr. Waring 
be appointed to collect the arrears. 



ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 27 

Winter Meeting at the Freemason's Tavern, Feb- 
ruary 13th, 1821. — 

It was agreed, that the proceedings of the Com- 
mittee with respect to the taking and the improving of 
the Archery Ground at Bayswater, subject however to the 
future revision of the expenses incurred, be approved of. 

It was resolved, that the Treasurer should get the 
Property of the Society from Mr. Waring, and that the 
Treasurer and Secretary should get the Prizes belonging 
to the Society from the different persons in whose hands 
they are. 

Extra Target, May 18th, 182L— 

Resolved that it be referred to Messrs. D. Finch, 
Crunden, Jervis, Briscoe, and Kixon, to revise the 
laws,* and report thereon. 

That the Freedom of the Society be offered to the 
Society of Ancient Britons. 

Summer Target, May 25th. — 

Resolved, that the Secretary should draw up an 
address to His Majesty to request that he will continue 
his favor to the Society, which he had before shewn as 
Prince of Wales. 

Lady Patroness's Target, June 8th. — 

The Freedom of the Society was granted to the 
Ancient Britons. 

Second Target, May 27th, 1836. 

Resolved, that a Subscription of £1 each be opened 
for placing the Arms of the Patron, the President, &c.;, 
in the Western Window of the Hall. 

* The Laws of the Royal Toxophilite Society were Printed in 
this same year by Messrs. Rowe and Waller, 49, Fleet Street. 



28 ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 

Extra Target, June 1 7th. — 

A Silver Cupj-f" presented by Mr. Robert Quarme, 
was shot for at the 100 yards, and won by J. Norton, F. C. 

King's Target, July Ist.-^ 

48 ends were shot at the usual distances, and the 
same sized Targets as last year. The Claret Jug was 
won by Captain Norton, and the second Prize by Col. 
Powell. Nearly 1000 visitors attended, and the cere- 
monies, the same as on former occasions. 

August 5th. — 

The Bows and Arrows of the late Mr. Bolt were 
Sold by Auction ; and a Match was shot between the 
Snuff-takers, and the Non-Snuff-takers of the Society, 
for a Snuff-box, which was won by R. N. Gresley, Esq., 
Hon. Secretary. 

March I7th, 1840.— 

Resolved, that a petition should be drawn up, the 
Treasurer requesting that H. R. H. Prince Albert will 
do the Society the honor of becoming their Patron. 

That the Treasurer make an appointment with the 
Treasurer of the Prince's Household, for presenting the 
petition. 

April 4th.— 

The Treasurer reported the proceedings which he 
had himself taken on the subject of the Patronage of 
H. R. H. Prince Albert, and further, that accompanied 
by Sir F. Shuckburgh, and Mr. G. Wilkinson he had 
placed in the hands of the Hon. G. Anson, Treasurer 
of H. R. H's. Household, a Memorandum, setting forth 

f This Cup has been lately presented by Cap. Norton, as a 
Challenge Cup, to be shot for annually, in Dublin, on the day 
following the Grand Leinster Meeting; 144 Arrows at 100 
yards, not to be won, until held by the same Archer for 3 succes- 
sive years. 



ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 29 

the Establishment of the Society, and the illustrious 
Patronage with which it had formerly been distinguished ; 
and that in consequence thereof he had been^ favored 
with the following communication, — 

Buckingham Palace, 

March 30th, 1840. 
My dear Sir, 

I beg to acquaint you that I have submitted 
the Memorandum which you placed in my hands from 
the President and Members of the Toxophilite Society, 
to His Royal Highness Prince Albert, and have received 
His Royal Highness's commands to inform you that he 
has much pleasure in allowing this Society to make use 
of his name as its Patron ; His Royal Highness the more 
readily accedes to your proposition as this Society has so 
long been distinguished by the Patronage of the Royal 
Family. 

I remain, my dear Sir, 

Yours faithfully, 

G. E. ANSON. 
The Hon. D. Finch. 



The foregoing having been read to the Committee, 
it was resolved that a letter to the undermentioned effect 
should be written by the Treasurer to Mr. Anson, to be 
accompanied by a copy of the Rules, handsomely bound. — 

Archers' Lodge. 
My dear Sir, 

The President and Members of the Toxophilite 
Society beg leave to return you their best thanks for 
your obliging communication that H. R. H. Prince 
Albert will permit the Society to make use of his name 
as its Patron ; and they request that you will favour 
them by taking an opportunity of conveying to H. R. 
H. their deep sense of the Honour conferred on them. 
They beg leave to transmit to you, for the information 
of H. R. H. many points connected with the Society, a 



30 ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 

list of the present Members, a copy of the Rules and 
Regulations, and a Card of the days of meeting for the 
ensuing year. If H. R. H. should be pleased at any 
time to wish to visit the Archery Ground and see the 
Shooting, the Society would feel highly gratified by 
altering any of the regular days of meeting to suit the 
convenience of H. R. H. 

I am, yours faithfully, 

DAN. FINCH, 

Treasurer. 

Committee, April 25th, 1845. — 

The Secretary stated that he had made an applica- 
tion to the Commissioners of the Woods and Forests, to 
have the Water cleared out, and that they had immediately 
very handsomely acceded to the request, and that 150 
loads of Mud had been carted away. 




ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY, 31 



^F the various Societies existing in 1790, it appears 
^^ that no one of them signalised itself more, upon all 
occasions than that of the Toxophilites, who at the 
Grand Meeting of the Societies of Archers, at Blackheath, 
on May 29th, 1792, bore oiF the best Prize; at this 
time H. R. H. George, Prince of Wales, was Patron ; 
His Grace, the Duke of Leeds, President; and the 
Right Hon. Lady Jane James, Lady Patroness. It's 
Members, as well as those of other Societies, formed a 
brilliant assemblage of the Nobility and Gentry of the 
land, and it must certainly be considered no small favor 
conferred upon Archery at that period, that the Heir 
apparent to the British Throne, and many of the Nobility 
patronised its revival. 

At that Meeting, on Blackheath, the weather was 
beautiful, and the novelty of the scene attracted an 
immense number of spectators. The Tents of the 
various Societies were pitched in a line fronting the 
South, and fourteen pairs of Targets were fixed opposite, 
100 yards apart. 

The scene was a truly magnificent one. In beau- 
tiful contrast with the gay green-sward, appeared 
numerous snow-white Tents, above which floated banners 
and other emblematical devices of the different Societies. 
Busy groups of Bowmen in their picturesque uniforms, 
tens of thousands of Spectators, attired in that beautiful 
costume which the Inhabitants of the Metropolis never 
fail to exhibit on a gala day, bursts of martial Music 
floating through the air, must have formed a scene 
equally novel and picturesque, and most gratifying to the 
Toxophilite Society, to which was owing the origin of 
the Meeting. 



32 ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 

The following was the Programme issued by 
authority of the stewards : — 

GENERAL ORDERS. 

^ At 11 o'clock, the leaders of the Targets are to 
arrange the Archers to shoot at their respective marks, 
and to set down their names. 

No greater number than 10 to shoot any one pair 
of Targets. 

Two Arrows to be shot at each end. 

Two Target Papers to be kept at each Target. 

At 12, the Shooters to form a line in front of the 
Tents, in the order of shooting. The signal for forming 
the line, to be a march of the music, playing the whole 
length of the Tents. The line being formed, the com- 
mand, to face to the right and march, to be given by 
three strokes of the Kettle-drums. 

The different Societies will then proceed to their 
respective Targets, and begin shooting when the music 
ceases. The leader of each Target to advance 10 paces 
when his party has done shooting, and proceed to the 
opposite Target, on hearing the bands, which will con- 
tinue playing until the shooting recommences. 

At three, Refreshments to be taken into the Tents. 

The signal to go into the Tents will be, by the 
music halting in the centre of the ground, until the 
Arrows are collected ; when each Society will fall into 
its own station. The line will then be formed, and the 
Archers are to march back to their res])ective Tents, the 
same signal being used as for the march to the Targets. 

At half-past three, the re-opening of the Targets 
will be announced, by a repetition of the signals before 
used. 



ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 33 

At six J the shooting will cease, by the same signal 
as before used for going to refresh ; the whole line to 
hall in front of the Tents, while the Stewards collect the 
target papers ; the At-chers are then to be dismissed, and 
proceed to dinner. Tickets to be collected at the door 
of the dining-room, and the Societies to be seated accord- 
ing to seniority, the Stewards making the arangements. 

The exploits of the day, taken as a whole, stand 
high in the annals of modern Archery. Amongst the 
Nobility present, Lord Aylesford distinguished himself 
by some very close shooting ; Mr. Anderson won two 
Prizes, as Captain of Numbers, and Lieutenant of the 
Target; Mr. R. Glen won one as Lieutenant of Numbers. 
The Captain of the Target was a Woodman of Arden. 
Mr. Anderson,* had 33 hits; Mr. Glen, 24; on every 
former occasion the highest number was 2L Mr, 
Anderson belonged to the Fraternity of St. George, and 
was considered one of the best shots in England^ In 
1795, shooting with the Woodmen of Arden, he gained 
a Captaincy of Numbers ; he never declined a challenge, 
and rarely failed to win. 

* Mr Ford in his admirable "Work on Archery, 1856, at page 
110, mentions 2 of Mr. Anderson's scores i 37 hits, 137 score, and 
46 hits, and 182 score ; but has overlooked the following, made on 
July 9th, 1795 : 66 hits. On this occassion Mr. Palmer had 67y 
Cazalet 65. Mr. Anderson appears only 3 times on the Society's 
Records, as a visitor : July 9th, 1795 ; June 1st, 1796 ; October 
14th, 1797. 

Note. — From the following entry in the Society's Records, it 
appears there must have been a Meeting at Blackheath, in 17 90 : — 

May 18th, 1790, by 2 Targets and additional Cards compleat, 
for Blackheath, at 84s. — £8 8s. Sewing on Targets, Lettering, 
&c., 8s. 

There are also these entries: — May 26th, 1792, Cash paid, 
Blackheath, Waiter, 5s. July 2nd, 1793, by Cash paid Mr. 
Walker, Blackheath, Luncheon, jgl8 3s. 6d. 



34 ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 



HEN H. R. H. the Prince of Wales became 
Patron, the Society assumed the title of Royal, 
by which they have ever since been distinguished. 

In the various Challenges* from contemporary Socie- 
ties which they received, they were generally victorious, 
though in some instances they were unsuccessful. 

Previous to 1840, viz: on June 5th, 1818, at 
Highbury Barn, where in a match between the Wood- 
men of Arden, and the Royal Toxophilite Society, the 
Woodmen were victorious, their numbers being 101, and 
those of the R. T. S. 97; and on August 5th, 1834, 
when in a contest with the West Berks Society, they lost 
by a small number of hits. At Blackheath, in 1792, 
they carried off the Gold Medal ; at the second Meeting 
on Dulwich Common, when a Prize was given for the 
greatest number of hits made during the day, by five 
selected Members of any Society, the Royal Toxophilites 
won by 190 hits. 

At Mr. Anderson's Grounds, near Highgate, the 
Popinjay Game was practised ; the sport usually began 
by shooting at the Flemish Blazon, or square Target, 
somewhat larger than ours, its face bein» divided into 
50 small squares, each marked as a blank or prize, the 
latter progressively increasing in value from 1 to 26. 



* Extra Target, June 4th, 1841.— "Motion made by- 
Mr. Hadow and seconded by Mr. Walford, to repeal or modify the 
Bye-law respecting the prohibition against accepting Challenges 
from other constituted Archery Societies, was taken into consider- 
ation, but after some discussion, was adjourned, sine die," thus^ 
at the present time no Challenge can be accepted by the Society. 



ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 35 

At a Meeting there in September, 1792, various 
Members of the Royal Toxophilites, Robin Hood's 
Bowmen, and Woodmen of Arden shot; the shooting 
lasted 3 hours, when J. Palmer, Esq., of the Woodmen, 
won the Medal for the central shot ; and Dr. Haworth, 
a Royal Toxophilite, won that for the greatest number 
of Prizes. The figure of an Eagle fixed on a perch 
140 ft. high, was also shot at for about an hour, afibrding 
much amusement from its novelty ; at the expiration of 
that time, — Peacock, Esq., Robin Hood's Bowmen, 
shot it off the perch, and thereby won a Gold Medal. 

After dining with bis friends in the lodge, Mr. 
Anderson amused them with Fireworks, emblematical 
of the Archery of the day. 

The elder Mr. Waring was seen to put 20 successive 
Arrows into a 4 ft. Target, shooting two at each endy 
at 100 yds. In one minute he shot 12 Arrows into a 
mark 2 ft. square, at 46 yds. Mr. Crunden, when father 
of the Royal Toxophilites, shooting 2 Arrows at each 
end, put 10 successive Arrows into a sheet of paper, 
8 in. square, at 30 yds. ; and once put 52 out of 100 
Arrows into a 4 ft. Target, at 100 yds. ; and lastly, two 
other Royal Toxophilites, Messrs. Troward, and H. 
Greene, have at the same end put both Arrows into an 
8 inch square paper, at 120 yds. 

In 1798 Mr. Troward shot on Moulsey Hurst, (an 
uncommonly level piece of ground, and when the wind 
was very still,) 1 7 score yards ; this was not an acciden- 
tal shot, but repeatedly done (both up and down the 
wind,) that same distance, and on that same day, in the 
presence of many of his brother Toxophilites, and this 
being done during a contest for a prize, each shot was 
measured with the greatest possible accuracy ; the field 
having been previously staked out in scores and half" 
scores. Mr. Troward shot with a Self -how, 63 lbs. ; 
the Arrows were flight Arrows, 29 inches, and about 
4s. in weight. 



36 ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 

There is a Portrait in the Society's possession thus 
described, in 1805 : — "James Rawson, known by several 
Members of the Society to be the best Archer in his 
time." It is mentioned in 1788 as having been presen- 
ted to the Society by Mr. Waring. Hargrove in his 
account of Lancashire and Cheshire, pub. 1792, gives a 
long account of the Rawsons. 

Mr. James Rawson (about 1794) told Mr. Waring 
that he once shot, on ground very little declining in his 
favour, 18 score yards. 

Mr. Rawson, whose father was one of three brothers 
famed for their skill in Archery, and lived in Lancashire, 
began Archery early in life, and was a very stout, middle 
sized man, and being a mans' shoemaker, had (in the 
exercise of his trade) increased the force and hardened 
the muscles of his arms to such a degree, that his power 
over the Bow was exceedingly great, as was his skill in 
its use ; from 18 to 60 he never refused a challenge, and 
was never known to have been beaten at inches. 



The late Mr. Benjamin Poole declared to Mr. Waring 
that he had frequently shot an Arrow (nearly 5s.) 15 
score and 10 yards, at the Finsbury lengths. Mr. P. 
Constable also said, an Archer in his time shot 17 score 
yards. 

The Hon. Daines Barrington, an Hon. Member of 
the Society in 1782, writes thus, in 1783, — "of those 
who shot at the Targets, erected in the Finsbury Fields, 
in 1753, during the holidays, there are two now sur- 
viving, viz.: Mr. B. Poole, and Mr. P. Constable, who 
frequently became Captain and Lieutenant for the year ; 
the former is now rather aged and infirm, but the latter 
has been so obliging as to show me most of the marks in 
Finsbury Fields, as well as to communicate several 
anecdotes and observations relative to Archery." 



ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 37 

Nr. Poole though not a Member of the Society, 
is often mentioned in the Records in 1781 and 1782, 
but not afterwards. 

In the " Aime for the Finshury Archers,^' most of 
the distances are from 12 to 16 score, and many from 16 
to 18, and the greatest 19 score and 14 yards. 

By a Target Book of the Finsbury Archers, kept 
for the year 1671, (in the possession of Mr. Haworth, 
the Toxophilite,) 1 1 score yards was the farthest distance 
shot by them, before the Archers began to draw in. 

On October 29th, 1834, a display of Archery took 
place between the Royal Toxophilites, and the West 
Berks Club, for two valuable pieces of Plate. The first 
prize, a Claret Vase and Stand, was won by Edwin 
Meyrick, Esq., scoring 203, and 55 hits ; the second, a 
Silver Inkstand, by Rev. E. Scott, for best gold. 

In 1835, a Handicap, for a subscription piece of 
Plate, given by W. Merry, Esq., Hon. Sec, East Berks 
Club, took place at Benham Park, between the Royal 
Toxophilites, the East and West Berks Clubs, the 
Windsor Foresters, and the Welbourne and Clapton 
Archers ; at 100 yds., 70 ends, 3 Arrows each. The 
result was, 

— Marsh, Esq., Clapton, - 286—70 hits. 

— Moore, Esq., West Berks, 285—75 „ 

W. Peters, Esq., Royal Toxophilites, and E. 
Meyrick, Esq., West Berks, scored very near the above. 
The Prize given by Mr. Hughes, for most hits, was won 
by Mr. Moore. Contribution Gold Prize, by — Atwood, 
Esq., West Berks. 



38 ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 



THE CRUNDEN CUP AND BUGLE. 

N former times the Royal Toxophilite Society used 
to meet on four principal occasions during each 
year, — called the Spring Target, the Summer or Annual 
Target, the Lady Patroness's Target, and the Autumn 
Target, — on these occasions the maker of the best and 
second best hits, became the Captain and Lieutenant of 
Targets, respectively ; and the maker of the most and 
the next most hits, became the Captain of Numbers, and 
the Lieutenant of Numbers, respectively. 

Once in three years one Gold and one Silver Medal, 
were given by the Society, in addition to other Prizes ; 
on the Gold Medal was recorded the number of hits made 
by the Captain of Numbers, on each of these Target 
days ; and on the Silver Medal, the number of hits made 
by the Lieutenant of Numbers ; at the end of the third 
season the numbers of hits recorded on the Medals, for 
the different Captains and Lieutenants of Numbers were 
added up, and the Gold or Silver Medal became the 
property of the Captain or Lieutenant whose total proved 
the greatest. 

Mr. John Crunden won the Gold Medal for 1798-9 
and 1800, having been Captain on 11 out of 12 Target 
days ; on the single occasion when he did not become 
Captain, that distinction was won by Mr. W. Palmer, 
with 79 hits, and this is the largest number of hits 
appearing on the Medals; on this occasion Mr. Crunden 
became Lieutenant, having made 68 hits ; at this time 
48 double ends of 4 Arrows, i.e. 182 Arrows were shot. 
Mr. Crunden won the next Gold Medal, that for 1801-2 
and 3, having been Captain on 6 occasions, and having 



ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 39 

been beaten by Mr. John Brady, three times ; twice by 
Mr. Shepheard ; and once by Mr. Thomas Palmer. 
Mr. Crunden won the Lieutenant's or Silver Medal in 
1807, 8 and 9 ; the Gold or Captain's Medal in 1810, 11 
and 12 ; and the Silver Medal in 1813, 14 and 15. 

The following Lists (A) show the number of 
hits made by each of the Captains and Lieutenants, on 
some of the occasions where the number of hits appears 
very small, the full number of Arrows (182) could not 
be shot, on account of the badness of the weather. The 
names and figures are arranged so as to radiate towards 
the centres of the Medals. 

(A) On the 1st, Gold Medal, are inserted — 

1798, W. Palmer, 79; J. Crunden, 70 ; J. Crunden, 63 
J. Crunden, 64. 

1799, J. Crunden, 57 ; J. Crunden, 67 ; J. Crunden, 64 
J. Crunden, 45. 

1800, J. Crunden, 62 ; J. Crunden, 68 ; J. Crunden, 56 
J. Crunden, 54. 

On the 2nd, Gold Medal, — 

1801, J. Brady, 54; J. Brady, 44; E. W. Shepheard, 
49 ; J. Crunden, 63. 

1802, J. Crunden, 43 ; E. W. Shepheard, 42 ; J. Palmer, 
48; J. Crunden, 64. 

1803, J. Crunden, 66 ; J. Crunden, 62 ; J. Crunden, 
Capt., 66 ; J. Brady, 55. 

On the 3rd, Silver Medal,— 

1807, Eras. Barker, 24 ; Peter Cazalet, 23 ; J. Crunden, 
39; J. Crunden, 16. 

1808, Eras. Barker, 14; S. Jervis, 9; J. Crunden, 32; 
Thos. Roberts, 29. 

1809, J. Crunden, 13 ; P. Cazalet, 13 ; J. Crunden, 29. 



40 ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 

On the 4th, Gold Medal,— 

1810, J. Crunden, (May,) 37 ; J. Crunden, (June,) 25 ; 
J. Crunden, (July,) 26 ; E. W. Shepheard, 
(Aug.,) 28. 

1811, J. Crunden, (May,) 11 ; — N.B. Bad day, very 
little shooting."— .T Roberts, (June,) 25 ; E. 
W. Shepheard, (July,) 20; E. W. Shepheard, 
(Aug.,) 22. 

1812, J. Crunden, (May,) 14; Sir H. Martin, Bart., 
(June,) 14; Sir. H. Martin, Bart., (July,) 24; 
Swynfen Jervis, (Aug.,) 9. 

On the 5th, Silver Medal, — 

1813, S. Jervis, (May,) 17; J. Crunden, (June,) 26; J. 
Crunden, (July,) 22 ; T. Roberts, (Aug.,) 21. 

1814, S. Jervis, (May,) 12: S. Jervis, (June,) 8; C. 
Wilson, (July,) 6 ; T. Roberts, (Aug.,) 22. 

These five Medals were placed in the sides of a 
handsome Silver Cup, manufactured by Messrs. Storr 
and Mortimer, at the cost of £45, for the Society, in 
Memory of Mr. J. Crunden ; and the Cup was appointed 
to be Shot for annually, at 100 yards. Originally 36 
double ends of 4 Arrows, 2 at each end ; but now 24 
rounds of 6 Arrows each, or 144 Arrows. 



It was first won in 1836, by Mr. W. Peters, 29 
hits ; and the following list (B) contains the names of the 
subsequent winners, and the respective number of hits. 
There was no shooting for the Cup in 1845, otherwise it 
has been regularly shot for since 1836. 

The " Crunden Bugle,"* is also won annually by 
the Crunden Member. 

* One of the Prince of Wales's Prizes, won by Mr. Crunden, 



ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 41 

(B) CRUNDEN MEMBERS. 
36 ends — 144 Arrows. 







Hits. 


Value. 


1836, 


W. Peters 


29 


81 


1837, 


J. Norton 


38 


122 


1838, 


W. Robinson 


49 


159 


1839, 


W. Peters 


48 


166 


1840, 


P. D. Hadow 


35 


131 


1841, 


J. C. Walford 


38 


128 


1842, 


W. Bowyer Smyth 


39 


125 


1843, 


Cap. Norton 


35 


163 


1844, 


)9 » 


43 


159 


1845, 








1846, 


H. Hippisley 


35 


105 


1847, 


5> » 


34 


124 


1848, 


Octavius Luard 


34 


114 


1849, 


5> 5, 


42 


164 


1850, 


C. H. Price 


26 


90 


1851, 


W. Peters 


46 


170 


1852, 


H. Hippisley 


37 


131 


1853, 


H. C. Mules 


35 


119 


1854, 


55 55 


35 


189 


1855, 


>5 55 


73 


259 


1856, 


55 55 


55 


215 


1857, 


55 55 


82 


362 


1858, 


55 55 


77 


297 


1859, 


55 55 


73 


293 


1860, 


55 55 


76 


214 


1861, 


W. J. Richardson 


69 


267 


1862, 


J. A. Froude 


66 


238 


1863, 


J. Spedding 


53 


185 


1864, 


55 55 


57 


173 


1865, 


W. Butt 


54 


176 


1866, 


Thos. Boulton 


62 


244 


1867, 


W. Butt 


77 


283 



The Winner also holds the Silver Gilt Challenge 
Medal, presented by Mr. Anon, ijpi 1866. 



42 ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 

The following is the Record of the Bow Meeting, 
at which, the Captain's Prize, — a Silver Cup, — was won 
by Mr. Lowton, and afterwards presented by him to 
the Society. 

Annual Target, at Highbury Barn, 3rd August, 
1782.— 

Present. No. of Prizes. Value of Prizes. 



Sir Ashton Lever Pr. 


5 


s. 
4 


d. 



Hon. Mr. Pitt, (George) 
Mr. Haworth, V. P. 


1 
5 


1 
5 


6 



„ Fielden 


3 


4 





„ Constable, Senr. 


2 


1 





„ Wright* 

„ Lowton, Capt. 

„ Gibson 


1 
2 
4 


1 
3 
4 


6 

6 


„ Constable, Junr. 


4 


3 





„ Blundell, Lieut. 


4 


6 





„ J. K. Sherwin 


3 


2 


6 


„ Stott 


1 


1 





„ Waring 
„ Allen 


4 

1 


4 

1 



6 




£2 2 


6 



* Mr. Chas. Wright acted as Auditor of the Accounts of the 
Society, from 1781 till 1790. 




ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 43 



THE PRINCE'S PRIZE BUGLES. 



JN 1792, H. R. H. George, Prince of Wales, being 
then Patron of the Society, first presented a Prize — 
a Silver Bugle — to be shot for according to regulations 
prescribed by himself, and for 10 consecutive years the 
Prince presented a similar Prize. The regulations were 
that the shooting should be at 100 yds., 80 yds,, and 
60 yds., called " The Prince's Lengths," instead of at 
the distances usual at that period, viz. : 120, 90, 60, 
and 30 yds., or 16, 12, 8, and 4 roods, an ' Archer's 
rood ' being a measure of 7J yds. ; the Targets, similar 
to those now in use, were 4 ft. in diameter at 100 yds., 
3 ft. at 80 yds., and 2 ft. at 60 yds. ; and the scoring 
was conducted on the present plan, viz. : Gold 9. Red 7, 
Inner White 5, Black 3, and Outer White 1, and called 
" The Prince's Reckoning." 

Rounds, also, were shot of 6 Arrows each, 3 Arrows 
being shot by each Archer at each Target ; instead of ends 
of 4 Arrows, 2 at each Target. The total number shot 
on these occasions is often not mentioned. On three 
occasions it is stated that 42 rounds, or 252 Arrows were 
shot ; and on two occasions 46 rounds, or 276 Arrows. 
No mention is made of the method in which this number 
of Arrows was distributed between the different distan- 
ces, but as a very elaborate rule appears in one of the 
Society's Records of " Rules and Regulations," the object 
of which rule is to secure that the same number of 
Arrows shall be shot at each distance ; it is probable, 
that when possible, the same number of Arrows was 
shot at each distance. 



44 ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 

The following is a copy of the official Letter of 
thanks sent to H. R. H. the Prince of Wales. — 

Sir, 

The Members of the Toxophilite Society with great 
submission presume thus to request your Royal High- 
ness's acceptance of their most grateful acknowledgments 
for your intended kindness to them, and which you have 
so obligingly condescended to communicate to the Society 
by Mr. Troward. 

Countenanced by your Royal Highness's Patronage 
the Toxophilites have flourished, and encouraged by your 
favor they doubt not to excel ; individually animated 
with hopes of obtaining the reward from your Royal 
Highness, all will be happy in the contest for it, but 
doubly gratified will be the Bowman whose anxious hand 
shall have directed his well-winged shaft to the wished 
for Prize. 

The Toxophilites, prompted by unfeigned affection 
for your Royal Highness, avail themselves of this oppor- 
tunity to assure you of their attachment and duty, and 
to express their most ardent wishes for a long continu- 
ance of your health and happiness. 

I am, Sir, 
Your most dutiful Servant, 

RICHARD HAWORTH, V. P. 

Toxophilite Rooms, Bloomsbury, 

9th July, 1792.* 

H. R. H. was a great Patron of Archery, and fond 
of the exercise, and often shot in the Society's Grounds 
at Leicester House, after H. R. H. became King, he 
intended to have again practised Archery, and the 

• Vide No. 30, Min. Books, Vol. 2nd, Page 102. 
N.B. Unfortunately these Volumes of Minutes do not now exist. 



ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 45 

present Mr. Waring received his commands to take to 
Windsor a most complete set of Archery, which was 
accordingly done, but as it proved to be a very wet 
Autumn, the cases were not opened, and in the following 
year the King died. 

The first "Prince's Prize Target Day," was on 
August 14th, 1792, and the following is a list of all the 
Winners of the Prince's Prizes. — 

1792, Robert Glen 

1793, Hasting Elwin 

1794, Richard Troward 

1795, John Brady 

1796, John Crunden 

1797, Ed. W. Shepheard 

1798, Peter Cazalet • 

1799, Thomas Waring 

1800, Sir H. Martin, Bt. 

1801, Thomas Roberts 

1st Prince's Prize Target, August 14th, 1792. — 

fNo. 1. 
Mr. Glen, Cap. 54 IJValue 208 



54 


208 






76 


276 


252 Arrows shot. 


76 


266* 


252 


ditto 


90 


348 


276 


ditto 


77 


301 


276 


ditto 


88 


358 


252 


ditto 


56 


194 






53 


185 






46 


164 






35 


123 







No. 2. 




Mr. Pitcairn 


28 


„ Routh 


40 



* The Targets supplied being too small, this score was 
increased to 361. 

f Probably other Shooters were at this Target, but they are 
not named. 

^ This is the first entry in wbich number and value of hits 
is recorded. On all previous occasions the records give numbers 
of hits, and value in money of Prizes only. This old method of 
scoring disappears after 1794-; and the newer method, styled in 
an entry of a Meeting, held on September 10th, 1796, as "Prince's 
Reckoning," is ever afterwards used. 



46 ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 



Mr. Barlow 


24 


„ Pye 


13 


„ Norcross 


37 


„ Moorhouse 


10 


No. 3. 




Mr. Wright 


8 


„ Perrott 


17 


„ Hansard 


15 


„ Elwin 


30 


„ Earle 


19 


„ Troward 


12 


„ Crane 




No. 4. 




Mr. Greene, V. P. 


16 


„ Sermon 


6 


„ Cazalet 


20 


„ Vincent 


12 


„ Calvert 


8 


„ E-ooke 


6 



2nd Prince's Target, September 4th, 1793, at 
Prince's lengths.* — 

In. Out 

Hits Gold Red Wh. Blk. Wh. Value 



Mr. Cazalet 


59 


2 


8 


15 


10 


24 — 203 


„ Routh 


42 


1 


1 


8 


17 


15 — 122 


„ Clarke 


36 


3 


3 


5 


11 


14 — 120 


„ J.H.Greene 


69 


1 


7 


21 


20 


20 — 243 


„ Moorhonse 


16 


1 


1 


1 


8 


5—50 



222 738 



* It is not mentioned till 1801 that these lengths are 100^ 
80, and 60 yards. 



ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 47 



Mr. Elwin 


76 


4 


9 


17 


23 


23 — 276 


„ Shepheard 


46 


3 


5 


8 


12 


18 — 156 


„ Barlow 


21 


3 


2 


5 


4 


7—85 


.„ Girdlestone 


29 


1 


5 


6 


7 


10 — 105 


„ Constable 


8 








3 


2 


3 — 24 



180 646 



Mr. Bullock 


23 


1 


1 


"6 


7 


8—75 


„ Troward 


40 


1 


5 


12 


10 


12 — 146 


„ Perrott 


50 


2 


6 


12 


11 


19 — 172 


„ Barker 


26 


3 


4 


7 


7 


5 — 116 


„ Waring 


41 


1 


2 


7 


10 


21 — 109 



180 618 



42 Rounds, 6 Arrows each, being 252 Arrows shot 
this dav. 



3rd Prince's Prize Target, August 19th, 1794. — 







Hits 












Value 


^r 


. Ainslie 


59 


4 


5 


20 


17 


13 


— 235 


5> 


Bullock 


27 


2 


3 


7 


8 


7 


— 105 


5> 


Girdlestone 


42 


1 


4 


9 


13 


15 


— 136 


)) 


Hansard 


39 


1 


3 


8 


10 


17 


— 117 


9> 


^Jewberry 


20 





1 


2 


8 


9 


— 50 



187 643 



Mr. Troward 


76 





9 


25 


18 


24 — 266 


„ Shepheard 


42 


2 


2 


12 


17 


9 — 152 


„ Barker 


28 


2 


4 


3 


9 


10 — 58 


„ Cazalet 


43 


5 


4 


3 


15 


16 — 149 


„ Crunden 


15 


1 


2 


5 


3 


4—61 



204 726 



48 ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 



Mr. Greene 


40 


2 


8 


9 


10 


11 -- 162 


„ Brady 


30 


5 


5 


3 


8 


9 — 134 



70 296 



252 Arrows shot this day. 

Note — It is mentioned on this occasion that owing to a mistake 
the Targets were 4 ft., 2 ft. 7 in , and 1ft. 9in., instead of 4 ft., 
3 ft, and 2 f t , which it was estimated on calculation would make 
a difference of at least 95 to the winning number ; this added to 
266 (Mr. Troward's score) made 361. 



4th Prince's Prize Target, August 29th, 1795. — 





Hits 












Value 


Mr. Crunden 


47 


2 


7 


12 


10 


16 


— 163 


„ Cowper 


45 


4 


5 


11 


8 


17 


— 167 


„ Moorhouse 


40 


1 


8 


10 


9 


12 


— 154 


„ Wheeler 


49 


1 


10 


10 


17 


11 


— 191 



181 675 



Mr. Baher 57 3 6 14 21 33 — 215 

„ Cazalet 54 2 9 13 19 11 — 214 



5J 



Girdlestone 74 2 10 24 20 18 — 286 
Bullock 23 2 2 4 7 8—81 

208 796 



Mr. Shepheard 67 4 8 13 24 18 — 247 
„ Wheeler 

„ Brady 90 4 17 19 24 26 — 348 

167 595 



Note. — It must be noticed that more Arrows were shot on 
this occasion. 



ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 49 

5th Prince's Prize Target, August 27th, 179G. — 

Hits Value 



Mr. Cowper 


3 


3 


18 


15 


25 — 208 


„ Vincent 





2 


1 


7 


3 — 43 


„ J. H. Greene 





3 


7 


3 


10 — 75 


Sir Hy. Martin 


1 


6 


8 


13 


20 — 150 



Mr, Barlow 







„ Girdlestone 




1 


„ Crunden 


77 


6 


„ Moorhouse 




1 



476 

3 3 12 10 — 82 
7 19 15 15 — 213 

10 17 24 20 — 301 

4 3 13 8—97 

693 



Mr. Shepheard 


2 


5 


16 


20 


26 — 219 


„ Baber 


1 


4 


4 


14 


19 — 118 


„ Cazalet 


4 


13 


18 


18 


24 — 295 


„ J. W. Belcher 


2 








3 


1 — 28 


„ F. Newberry 





1 


2 


4 


2—31 



691 



46 Rounds. 276 Arrows were shot. 



Note. — 'On this occasion Mr. Crunden won the Silver Bugle 
now held by the Crunden Member. 



6th Prince's Prize Target, August 31st, 1797. — 

Hits Value 

Sir Hy. Martin, Bt. 1 2 11 11 9 — 120 

Mr. Shepheard 88 6 16 23 17 26 — 358 

478 



50 ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 



Mr. Girdlestone 
„ Waring 
„ Thos. Greene 


2 

2 


7 
3 

1 


8 
9 



13 

13 




20 — 166 

13 — 118 

1 — 26 

310 


Mr. Cazalet 
„ Barlow 


2 
1 


5 
6 


10 
2 


8 
14 


20 — 147 
9 — 112 



159 
42 Rounds. 252 Arrows were shot. 

7t!i Prince's Prize Target, August 17th, 1798.— 
Hits Value 



Mr. Cazalet 
„ Barker 
„ Waring 
„ Baber 
,. Earle 


56 
32 
46 
40 
11 

154 


1 
2 
3 
2 
1 


8 

6 

10 

7 
1 


14 
2 
8 

12 
3 


13 
9 

11 
6 



20 — 194 

13 — 110 

14 — 184 
14 — 166 

6 — 37 

691 


Mr. Crunden 
„ Shepheard 
„ Troward 


V Captains, 


as winners in J 


former years » 



8th Prince's Prize Target, August I3th, 1799. 



Hits 








Value 


Sir H. Martin, Bt. 


8 


8 11 


14 12 


— • 156 


Mr. Waring* 53 


1 


9 13 


9 21 


— 185 


„ Roberts (1st day) 





1 2 


5 5 


— 37 



378 



* Mr. Waring won the Bugle, tho' very ill with nervous 
headache both days. ^ 



ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 



51 



Mr. Barker 


2 


8 


5 


8. 


12 — 93 


„ Jervis 


1 


2 


4 


8 


12 — 79 


„ Mason 


1 


1 


7 


5 


7—73 



245 



9th Prince's Prize Target, September lOth, 1800. — 





Hits 












Value 


Sir H. Martin, Bt. 


46 


2 


8 


7 


13 


16 


— 164 


Mr. Barker 


43 


2 


5 


14 


8 


14 


— 161 


„ Jervis 




3 


2 


3 


4 


9 


— 77 


„ Mason 




1 


2 


3 


4 


10 


— 60 


„ Porter 




1 


1 


2 


3 


7 


— 42 



504 



loth Prince's Prize Target, August 12th, 1801.— 



Hits 










Value 


Ar» Brady 


3 4 


10 


18 


24 


— 183 


„ Shepheard 


2 10 


15 


20 


10 


— 233 


„ Crunden 


10 


12 


14 


14 


— 186 


„ Mason (half-day) 


1 








6 


— 13 



615 



Mr. Roberts 35 2 

„ Barker 1 

„ Cazalet 1 

„ Waring (half-day) 

„ Troward (2 rounds) 



5 


7 


7 


14 — 123 


4 


1 


6 


10 — 70 


2 


9 


16 


14 — 130 


3 


3 


6 


4—58 





2 


2 


— 6 



387 



Note. — On this occasion it is mentioned that the Prince's 
Lengths are 100, 80, and GO yds. Six of the shooters present on 
this day having won the Prize Bugle previously, Mr. Roberts 
was declared the winner. 



52 ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 



Mr. PALMER'S PRIZE ARROW. 

N 1795 Mr. Palmer presented to the Society a Silver 
Prize Arrow, to be sh6t for, it was won by Mr. 
Crunden, bequeathed by him to the Hon. Daniel Finch, 
by whom it was again presented to the Society. 

The following is a record of the shooting for this 
Arrow in 1795, 6, 7, and 8, and also a copy of Mr. 
Palmer's letter. — 

Sir, 

I beg leave to inform you that I have ordered a 
Silver Prize Arrow to be made, which I mean to present 
to the Toxophilite Society, and which I hope they will 
do me the honor to accept. 

My wish is, if agreeable to the Gentlemen, that it 
be shot for the Butts down ; 12 double ends at each 
length, and no Arrow to score that may not be within the 
distances which follow, viz : — 



16 roods 


27 inches 


12 „ 


15 „ 


8 „ 


10 „ 


4 „ 


4 „ 



I likewise wish that it may be shot for four successive 
years, by those of the Members who chuse to come for- 
ward, and on the fifth year the winners only to contend 
for the propriety of it. The Society will determine 
upon some day prior to the Birthday, and which will be 



ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 53 

considered as fixed for the succeeding years. The 
Silversmith has promised that the Arrow shall be forth- 
coming on the first day or week in May. 
I have the honor to be 

Your obliged and humble Servant, 

THOS. PALMER.* 
April 17th, 1795. 

The 1st year's shooting for Mr. Palmer's Prize 
Arrow. 12 double ends, at Butts, May 27th, 1795. — 



Ay. Barker 


7 


1 


6 





— 


14 


„ Elwin, Capt. 


6 


7 


15 


15 


— 


43 


„ Shepheard 


8 


10 


7 


1 


— 


26 


„ Cazalet 


3 


3 


4 


5 


— 


15 


„ Baker 


2 


3 


7 


3 


— 


15 


„ Girdlestone 


3 


3 


7 


7 


. 


20 


„ Bullock 


4 


1 


3 


5 


— 


13 


„ Vincent 


3 


2 


3 


2 


— 


10 


„ J. H. Greene 


3 


7 


6 


5 


— 


21 


„ Waring 








2 


5 


— 


7 


„ Troward 


4 


3 


9 


8 





24 


„ Cowper 


4 


1 


2 


4 


— 


11 


„ Thos. Sermon 


2 


1 





1 


— 


4 


„ Brady 


4 


7 


4 


2 


— 


17 


„ Belcher 


1 





1 





— 


2 



15 shot — 54 49 76 63 — 242 

The second year, June 1st, 1796. — 

Inches Total 



Mr. Girdlestone 


1 


2 


9 


3 - 


- 15 


„ Bullock 


2 


3 


3 


3 - 


- 11 


„ Baber 


2 


6 


6 


8 - 


- 22 


„ W. Palmer, Capt. 


7 


8 


6 


21 - 


- 42 


„ Greene 





2 


3 


- 


5 



* Mr. Palmer joined the Society in 1794, and was still a 
Member in 1817. 



y4 ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 

Mr. Brady 5 9 10 9 — 33 



„ Cazalet 

„ W. Cowper 
Sir H. Martin 
Mr. Waring 

„ T. Palmer 


1 
5 
I 

1 
4 


1 
7 
2 
3 
5 


6 
8 

4 
5 


7 

13 



8 

7 


— 15 

— 33 

— 3 

— 16 

— 31 


„ Shepheard 
„ Crunden 
„ Troward 
„ Barker 


9 
8 
6 
6 


8 
6 
1 
2 


9 
10 

7 
2 


12 

11 

11 

6 


— 38 

— 35 

— 31 

— 16 


15 shot - 


- 58 


71 


88 


129 


^- 346 



The third year, May 31st, 1797.— 

4 8 12 16 

roods roods roods roods Total 

Mr.. Baber 8 6 3 9 — 26 

„ Cowper 9 14 6 11 — 35 

„ Shepheard 10 8 9 11 — 35 

„ Crunden 12 13 9 12 — 46 



The fourth year, June 1st, 1798. — 



Mr 


. Troward 


9 


9 


7 


14 


— 


39 


5» 


Shepheard 


10 


11 


6 


2 


— 


29 


55 


Cazalet, Capt. 


12 


12 


12 


6 


— 


42 


55 


Cowper 


16 


13 


4 


1 


— 


34 


55 


Brady 


14 


9 


13 


4 


— 


40 


55 


Baber 


10 


6 


7 


7 


— 


30 


Sir H. Martin 


4 





4 


4 


— 


12 



Note. — The records give no account of the final struggle 
'between Messrs. Elwin, 43 ; Palmer, 42 ; J. Crunden, 46 ; P. 
Cazalet, 42. On one of the Medals attached to the Prize Arrow, 
it is stated that Mr. Crunden won the Arrow with 45 hits. 



ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 55 



JTTHE old custom, among the Finsbury Archers, in 
^^ shooting for Prizes, was, that the fii^st Gold won ; 
probably this was when the distances were greater than 
now. But the Royal Toxophilite Society remodelled 
the plan by declaring that the most central shot during 
the whole shooting should be considered the best and win. 
This method gave the opportunity for a longer contest 
of skill, but yet did not altogether decide superiority in 
shooting, therefore the Society instituted another Prize 
entitled the Medal of Numbers, or for most hits regard- 
less of the colours. 

In order to carry the display of skill still further, 
they ordained that the Bugle (annually presented by their 
Patron H. R. H. the Prince of Wales) should be shot 
for at Targets of different sizes at the different distances 
(see page 43), giving a value to each colour in proportion 
to its proximity to the centre ; and as an encouragement 
to the younger Archers, it was a rule, that no member 
having won a Bugle, could shoot for a second, till each 
Member had once won one ; this was a very old rule in 
prize shooting, having been practised at a match, on the 
Marriage of a Son of Edward iv. to a Daughter of the 
Duke of Norfolk. 

The Butts erected by the Royal Toxophilite Society 
used to be in three sets, called, ' Shaft,' ' Centre,' and 
' Bow,' each set consisting of four, and each Butt being 
30 yds. distant from the other ; forming a chain of 30, 60, 
90, and 1 20 yds. ; so arranged as not to stand in the way 
of the Archer, when shooting at any of the lengths. Upon 
these Butts about 3| feet high, was placed the mark, a 
circular piece of thin white paste-board, 4 inches in diam. 

G 



56 ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 

Afterwards a new kind of Butt (said to have been 
invented in Scotland) was adopted by the Society, con- 
sisting wholly of Straw, laid first in trusses, and then 
screwed down as tight as possibje ; the ends afterwards 
being cut smooth. It was shot under cover, at the four- 
rood length ; this was a very pleasant Butt to shoot at, 
was durable (if kept under cover from the wet) and 
never injured the Arrow. 

The Royal Toxophilite Society to save the trouble 
of frequent admeasurement when the inches were shot, 
placed their white or mark on a blue or dark ground, 
forming an exterior circle of as many inches in diameter 
as were allowed ; so that as every Arrow counted which 
came within the inches, so every Arrow within the inches 
must be in the paper. Hence it was called the Paper- 
game, and was seldom shot but at the four-rood length. 

The Finsbury rule allowed an Arrow to reckon in 
that ring broken or depressed nearest the centre ; but in 
the Royal Toxophilite ground, an Arrow dividing two 
colours could only reckon in the colour farthest from the 
centre ; of course this rule has now been reversed to 
suit the modern custom. 




ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 57 



Mr. FINCH'S BRACER. 



Of HE Silver Arm Guard or Bracer was presented by 
^ the Hon. Daniel Finch, to be shot for at 100 yards, 
(192 Arrows,) and to be held by the winner until he be 
beaten by a challenger on any one of the Target Days. 
If the challenger failed to beat the holder, he had to forfeit 
a dozen of Claret to the Society. In 1853 and subse- 
quently until the introduction of the York Round in 
1858, when the Rules were revised and altered, 144 
Arrows were shot at 100 yds., and the forfeit was altered 
to £1. It used to be won by most hits, but during the 
time that 144 Arrows were shot and subsequently, it has 
been won by greatest score. The Field Captain or hol- 
der of the Silver Bracer used to have second rank, next 
after the President, but now he holds third rank, i.e. 
next after the Captain of Targets, and in 1866 the 
Challenge was abolished, and the Bracer is now shot for 
on the York Rounds, on the first Target Day of the 
Season. The winner also holds the Arrow Brooch, pre- 
sented by Mr. W. Butt, in 1865; and a Silver Gilt 
Challenge Medal presented by Mr. Anon, in 1 866. 



Here follows the list of field Captains, — 

1833, May 17, W. Peters, F. C, 
June 14, J. Norton 

July 12, R. Barclay 

1834, May 9, W. Peters 

1835, „ 22, J. Norton 54 
1837, „ 17, W. Robinson 47 



58 ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 



1.837, May 31, J. Norton 


60 




1838, „ 25, C. Lawrence 


48 




June 8, W. Peters 


71 




July 13, R. Arabin 


60 




1839, May 24, J. Norton 


62 




July 5, W. Peters 


86 




1840, May 22, R. Arabin 


58 




June 12, Bowyer Smijtli 


52 




July 31, W. Peters 


64 




1841, „ 16, W. Robinson 


50 




„ 30, J. G. Walford 


54 




1842, May 20, Bowyer Smijth 


45 




July 29, J. Norton 


43 




1843, „ 14, Bowyer Smijth 


65 




1848, „ 7, Octavius Luard 


46 




4 Arrows at 100 yards. 






1853, May 20, H. C. Mules 


50- 


-196 


1854, „ 19, „ 


61- 


-215 


1857, „ 21, „ 


74- 


-280 


1858, „ 20, „ 


72- 


-292 



At a general Meeting in 1858, it was determined 
that the Shooting for the Field Captaincy should be on 
the ' York Round,' on the first Target Day in 1859. 

1859, May 19, W. J. Richardson 89—443 



1860, 
1863, 
1864,. 
1865, 
1866, 
1867, 



10, H. C. Mules 86—380 

20, J. Spedding 82—350 

19, W. Butt (right-handed) 63— 311 
18, G. E. Hicks 65—271 

17, W. Butt (left-handed) 79—309 
16, Lt. Col. A. Robertson 70—286 



No record remains of the Shooting on the first four 
occasions, when the Bracer was won by Peters, Norton, 
Barclay, and Peters, respectively. In 1835, Norton 
and Troward shot a tie, being each 54 — 202. 



ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 59 

After July 14th, 1843, the Records are omitted till 
1848; then another omission occurs till May 20th, 1853. 

On May 19th, 1854, Col. Phillipps challenged H. 
C. Mules the F. C. and lost, making only 55 — 185. On 
May 20th, 1857, W. J. W. Baynes challenged H. C. 
Mules the F. C, and lost, making 72—292. 




60 ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 



THE KING'S CUPS, 



N 1834, His Majesty King William the 4th's Silver 
Cup was shot for on the ' King's Target Day,'* 
June 20th. 29 shooters were present. The shooting 
was at 120, 90, and 60 yards. 36 double ends or 144 
Arrows. J. Norton made the best score, 18 hits, 50 score, 
and won the Cup. In 1860, Captain J. Norton presen- 
ted this same Cup to the Society, and it was resolved 
that it should become an Annual Challenge Prize, to be 
shot for at 120 yards only, 144 Arrows. 

1861, July 25, J. Spedding 27—103 

1862, „ 31, „ 14— 58 

1863, June 18, T. Boultonf —156 

1864, „ 23, J. A. Froude 21— 75 

1865, Aug. 3, „ 30—112 

1866, April 12, W. W. Spottiswood 37—133 

1867, „ 4, „ „ 36—158 

In 1835, the ' King's Cup ' was shot for July 3rd, 
when Glen Finlaison made the highest score, 45 — 157 ; 



* Part of Rule 20, printed 1834. — Shooting on tlie King's 
Prize Day. — The course of shooting on this day shall be as 
follows : before dinner, 8 ends at 120 yards, 8 ends at 90 yards, 
and 8 ends again at 120 yards, if the time will admit — not 
beginning a new end after a quarter past three. After dinner there 
shall be shot, first, the same number of ends at 60 as were shot 
beyond the number of 8 before dinner at 120, and secondly, the 
same number at 90, and thirdly, 8 ends at 60. 



t No Record was kept of the No, of Mr, Boulton's hits. 



ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 61 

Norton's being second, 39 — 133. The shooting was at 
120, 90, and 60 yards; 33 double ends, or 132 Arrows. 
32 Shooters present. 

In 1836 the 'King's Cup' was shot for July 1st, 
when Captain J. Norton made the highest score, 65 — 239, 
(W. Peters being next, 63 — 221). The shooting was 
at 120, 90, and 60 yards ; 48 ends, or 192 Arrows. 
26 Shooters present. 

His Majesty died June 19th, 1837, but had already 
presented a Prize Cup to be shot for by Society in that 
year, but it was not shot for till June 29th, 1838, at 120, 
90, and 60 yards, when the following scores were made : 

W.Peters 4 10 17 19 18—68—266 

Cap. Norton* 3 11 18 17 13—62—258 

On this occasion 47 instead of 48 ends were shot, 
owing to a storm coming on at the end of the day's 
shooting. The Cup was awarded to Mr. Peters. 21 
Members shot. 1500 tickets of admission were issued, 
and 1147 were received at the gates. 

* Cap. Norton having left England, and consequently with- 
drawn from the Society, it was resolved at the Annual Meeting, 
May 8th, 1846, that he be elected an Honorary Member. Captain 
Norton died at the Club House, at Bray, on the 2nd Feb., 1867. 




62 ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 



Mr. BUDWORTH'S BUGLE. 



R. PHILIP BUDWORTH became a Member m 
1841, and in the same year presented a silver-gilt 
Bugle and Chain to be shot for and won under such con- 
ditions as the Committee should lay down. These con- 
ditions were that it should be shot for on the President's 
Prize Day in the first instance, and on future occasions 
on the first Target Day of the year, to be won by the 
Captain of those days, and to remain in his possession 
until the first Target Day of the season, next in succession. 

WINNERS. 

Mr. Walford 1841 

„ Bowyer Smijth 1842 

Cap. J. Norton 1843 

No Shooting on 1st Target Day, 1844 

No Shooting on 1st Target Day, 1845 



Mr, 


. J. G. Walford 


1846 


J? 


H. Hippisley 


1847 


>5 


J. G. Walford 


1848 




55 55 


1849 




55 55 


1850 


» 


Money Wigram 


1851 


J) 


R. Snow 


1852 


5) 


H. C. Mules 


1853 


Col 


. Phillipps 


1854 




No Record of 1855 


1. 


Mr. 


, James Spedding 


1856 


j> 


S. G. R. Strong 


1857 



ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 63 

Mr. P. S. Wilkinson 1858 

„ H. C. Mules 1859, 

when it was shot for on the Crunden Target Day, because 
in this year the ' York Round ' was first introduced into 
the first Target Day. 



Mr. James Spedding 


1860 


„ L. Oliver 


1861 


„ J. Spedding 


1862 


JJ 5> 


1863 


„ J. S, Stopford 


1864 


„ R. Butt 


1865 


„ Thos. Boulton 


1866, 


on the Crunden Day. 





In this year the rule re the ' Budworth Bugle' 
was altered so that it was shot for as previously, on the 
' Crunden Day,' but it could not as formerly be won 
by the Crunden Member, and also on the 4 Target Days 
during the shooting at 100 yards, to be won by the maker 
of the best gold, but the Bleld Captain, the First Lieu- 
tenant, the Barker Member, the Second Lieutenant, and 
the Captain of Targets, or Gold Medallist, were all to 



be ineligible. 






Mr. W. Spottiswoode 


1866, 


on the 1st Target Day 


„ E. Wilkinson 


jj 


on the 2nd „ „ 


„ J. Spedding 


j> 


on the 3rd „ „ 


5) »• 


»j 


on the 4th „ „ 


„ J. S. Stopford 


1867, 


on the Crunden Day 


„ S. Banner 


>) 


on the 1st Target Day 


„ G. E. Hicks 


JJ 


on the 2nd „ „ 


„ E. Wilkinson 


J5 


on the 3rd „ „ 


„ G. E. Hicks 


JJ 


on the 4th „ „ 



The winner also holds the Silver Gilt Challenge 
Medal, presented by the Hon. Sec. 



64 ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 



THE BARKER BUGLE. 

^T a Committee Meeting held April 7tli, 1857, it 
O was resolved that the Silver Bugle presented by A. 
R. Barker, Esq., June 13, 1834, should be shot for as 
a Handicap Prize, to be held for the year by the Member 
winning it. This handicap match was shot on June 4th, 
1857, and the Bugle was won by Mr. P. S. Wilkinson. 
In 1 858 it was decided that the same Bugle should be shot 
for as a Challenge Prize, on the York Hound, to be won 
by the greatest gross score, (the Field Captain not com- 
peting,) the winner to be called the Barker Member, and 
to hold rank in the field next after the Crunden Member. 
When the Society's Rules were revised and altered in 
3 866, it was decided that on the third Target Day, the 
maker of the greatest gross score should become the 
Barker Member, and that the Field Captain, and First 
Lieutenant should be ineligible. The Barker Member 
now holds rank next after the First Lieutenant. 

The list of winners since 1857. — 

1858, Rev. W. J. Richardson 98—442 

1859, H. C. Mules 99—453 

1860, Rev. W. J. Richardson 104—516 

1861, Rev. T. G. Golightly 96—446 

1862, Money Wigram 65—262 

1863, F. Prothero 64—234 

1864, James Spedding 83—371 

1865, W. Butt (omitted to shoot7 ho ooq 

9 arrows at 60) y 

1866, Thomas Boulton 92—416 

1867, W. Butt 77—343 

The winner also holds the Silver Gilt Challenge 
Medal presented by Mr. Anon, 



ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 65 



SIR H. MARTIN'S* MEDAL. 



QIS the Book of Minutes and Transactions of the 
C3^ Society begins with June 14th, 1837, there is no 
record of the original intentions of Sir H. Martin, when 
he presented his Silver Medal in 1836, which, till 1867 
has been laid aside. 

The other Minute Book which begins with the 
Season of 1836, mentions that Sir H. Martin's two 
Silver Goblets were won in a handicap match, by Mr. 
P. D. Hadow, but does not allude to this particular 
Medal, but it is probable that it was presented on that 
occasion. 

The Committee have now decided that it shall in 
future be won by the maker of the greatest gross score 
on the Crunden Day, but not by the Crunden Member of 
the same day. It was first won on April 18th, 1867, by 
Mr, W. Spottiswoode, with 274 — 72; 144 arrows, at 
100 yds. 

In 1836 the third Target was on July 8th, on this 
occasion the Prizes were Sir H. Martin''s Cups ; and a 
somewhat unusual system of handicapping was adopted, 
the shooters being divided into classes, A, B, &c., accord- 
ing to their proficiency ; the various colours bore different 
values respectively in the several classes, thus — 



* Sir H. W. Martin, became a member in 1793, and con- 
tinued so till his death. 



66 ROYAL TOXdPHILITE SOCIETY. 

Gold Red Blue Blk. White 



A — 6 


4 


2 


1 





B — 7 


4 


3 


1 





C — 7 


5 


3 


2 





D — 8 


6 


4 


2 


1 


E — 10 


7 


5 


3 


2 



F — 12 9 6 4 3 

G — 16 12 8 6 4 

It is mentioned that -Hadow (Class B) won — his 
score being recorded thus, — 



Gold 


Red 


Blue 


Blk. 


Hits Score 


2 


10 


17 


12 - 


- 41 — 117 



48 ends, at 100 yards. 

A Silver Prize Cup presented by the Hon. C. L. 
Butler, was shot for on July 4th, 1851, and won by Mr. 
H. A. Ford, without his blacks and whites. — 



Gold 


Red 


Blue 


Blk. 


Wh. 


Hits 


Score 


11 


37 


54 


42 


50 - 


- 194 - 


- 804 



Mr. Peters made the next best score. — 
5 12 17 27 43 — 104 — 338 
288 arrows were shot, at 100 yards. 

A Gold Medal and a Silver Medal presented by 
Mr. H. C. Mules, to be won by the best scores in two 
day's shooting, (96 arrows at 100 yds., 72 at 80 yds., 
and 48 at 60 yds., being shot each day,) were shot for 
on May 26th, and June 9th, 1854. The Gold Medal 
was won by Mr. H. C. Mules, hits 239, score 1,007. The 
Silver Medal was won by Col. H. PhilHpps, hits 229, 
score 979. 

A Silver Prize Cup presented by Mr. James Sped- 
ding, was shot for on May 13th, 1856, and won by Rev. 
James Cook. The York Round was shot. This was a 
handicap match, Mr, Cook's score was, hits 55, score 239. 



ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 67 

A Robin Hood Prize presented by Mr. H. C. Mules, 
for most hits in a willow wand, 3 inches wide, and 4 feet 
high, was shot for on June 27th, 1856, and won by Mr. 
P. S. Wilkinson, with 8 hits. 144 arrows were shot, 
divided amongst the three distances, 100 yds., 80^'yds., 
and 60 yds., as in the York Round. 

£5 was presented by Mr. H. C. Mules, to be shot 
for on a handicap of the scores of the last two York 
Rounds, and was won by Mr. S. G. R. Strong, with 
hits 56, score 214, on the 18th of June, 1867. 

A Prize was presented by Mr. W. G. Campbell, 
and shot for on Mr. James Spedding's handicap system, 
on the York Round, on July 1st, 1858, and was won by 
Mr. A. R. Tawney, with hits 84, score 350. The 
handicap was taken in the case of each Archer on the 
best score he had made during the last 12 months, and 
decided by the most advantageous relation between this 
greatest score, and the score made by each Archer this 
day. Thus Mr. Tawney's score as above is 350, multi- 
plied by the largest score returned by any Archer, 550, 

350 
550 



17500 
17500 

340 I 192500 



566 

and divided by the largest score made by this Archer, 
viz : 340, gives 566 as his handicap. 

A Silver Prize Cup presented by Mr. N- Wetherell 
was shot for on July 14th, 1859, on the York Round. 
This was a handicap match, and the mean between each 
Archer's highest and lowest scores made during the pre- 
ceding 6 months was taken as his handicap. The Cup 



68 ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 

was won on the " Spedding system," by Mr. Money 
Wigram, who made 58 — 240 ; Mr. W. J. Richardson 
made 100—469, and Mr. Henry C. Mules 93—461. 
The result of the handicap was, Mr. Wigram 607, Mr. 
Headlam 510. Mr. Richardson 480, Mr. Mules 461, 
and Mr. Oliver 448. 

A Silver Prize Cup presented by Col. Sir C. J. J. 
Hamilton, Bart, C.B., senior Vice-President of the year, 
was shot for on June 28th, 1860, at 100 yards, and to be 
won by the best gold. This Cup was won by the Rev. W. 
J. Richardson. Mr. H. C. Mules made the best score, 
43 hits, 155 score. 144 Arrows were shot. 

A handsome Clock, presented by Mrs. W. F. Pollock, 
was shot for on July 12th, 1860, on the York Round, 
and was won by Mr. H. C. Mules, he having made most 
hits, 98 hits, 390 score. 

A Silver Prize Cup, presented by Mr. H. C. Mules, 
senior Vice-President of the year, was shot for on 
June 27th, 1861, on the York Round. This was a 
Handicap Prize Day, and the Handicap was taken on 
the mean of the highest and lowest score made during 
the present season by each Archer compared with his 
shooting this day. The Cup was won by Mr. G. F. 
Boultbee, who was handicapped at 132, and who made 
51 hits, 227 score. 

A Silver Prize Cup, presented by Mr. S. G. R, 

Strong, was shot for on July 11th, 1861, on the York 
Round. Mr. H. C. Mules made the best score 78—336. 
The Cup was won by Mr. H. C. Mules who made most 
hits (13) in the Willow Wand, (3 in. wide and 4 ft. high. 

A handsome Clock, presented by Mr. James 
Spedding, was shot for on July 17th, 1862, on the York 
Round. This was a Handicap Match, and the Clock 
was won by A. T. Malkin, whose handicap was 205, 
and who made 54 hits, 226 score. 



ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 69 

A Gold Pencil Case, presented by Mr. Money 
Wigram, senior Vice-President of the year, was shot 
for on July 16th, 1863. The Handicap was taken 
on the * Spedding System,' and the Pencil Case was 
won by Mr. W. F. Pollock, whose handicap was 135, 
and made 35 hits, 167 score. Mr. James Spedding 
made the best score 80 hits, 360 score. 

A Silver Inkstand, value £25, presented as a 
Handicap Prize by Mr. W. Peters, one of the oldest 
Members of the Society, was shot for on July 26th, 
1864, on the York Round, and was open to Members 
of the R. T. S., the West Berks, and the Harlow 
(Essex) Societies. In addition to the above a Self Yew 
Bow was presented by Mr. Buchanan, (215 Piccadilly), 
for the second gross score. Mr. Coulson won the Ink- 
stand with 414, and 33 given, total 447. The Bow 
was won by Mr. W. J. W. Baynes, (now Sir W. J. W. 
Baynes, Bart.,) with 261, and 130 given, total 391. Best 
gold at 100 yards, Rev. C. H. Everett, £1 2s.; ditto 
at 80, Mr. W. J. Richardson, £1 2s.; ditto at 60 yds., 
Mr. R. Butt, £1 2s. 

£5 presented by Mr. James Spedding, V. P., was 
shot for on May 25th, 1865, on the Y'ork Round. The 
Handicap was taken on the last 5 rounds shot on the 
ground. The Prizes were won by W. J. Richardson* 
71—315; G. E. Hicks 78—324: R. Butt 36—134; 
J. S. Stopford 50—202; L. Oliver won the best gold 
Prize. 

A French Bronze Gilt Moderator Lamp, presented 
by Mrs. W. F. Pollock, was shot for on June 22nd, 
1865, on the York Round. The Handicap was taken 
on the last 5 rounds shot on the ground. The Prize 
was won by Mr, A. T. Malkin with 63—277, and 183 
given, total 460. 

* On this occasion Mr. Richardson shot left-handed, after a 
very short period of practice. 



70 ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 

The Subscription Prize was won by Sir W. J. W. 
Baynes, Bart., with the second Handicap, score 68 — 320, 
and 71 given ; best gold, Mr. B. Butt. 

Col. Sir C. J. J. Hamilton, Bt., C.B., senior V. P., 
presented Prizes for shooting at 120 yds., 144 arrows ; 
the best scores were, Rev. J. M. Croker, 38 — 158 ; Mr. 
W. Spottiswoode, 32—130; Rev. C. H. Everett, 29— 
125; Mr. T. Boulton, 34—120; Mr. T. S. Coulson, 
30 — 104. Prizes : — best score Mr. Croker, £2 ; most 
hits Mr. T. Boulton, £1 10s.; 2nd score, Mr. W. 
Spottiswoode, £1 ; most golds (3), Mr. Everett 10s., (tie 
with Mr. Froude) ; best golds, Messrs. Froude and 
Spottiswoode, Messrs. Croker and Boulton, each landed 
all three arrows in the target at one end, each scoring 
gold, red, and blue. This distance is now but seldom 
practised, the best score hitherto recorded was that of 
that admirable shot, the late Mr. Henry C. Mules,* 155. 
Mr. T. Boulton on a previous occasion, the records of 
which have unfortunately been lost, made about 156. 

Mr. Anon's Gold Challenge Medal, for most points 
on the 4 Target Days, and on the 4 Extra Target Days, 
when the Shooting is at 120, 100, 80, and 60 yards, 
respectively, was first shot for during the Season of 1865, 
and won by Mr. J. A. Froude, with 12 points; Mr. 
A. T. Malkin had 10; Mr. W. Butt, 10; Mr. G. E. 
Hicks, 8 ; and Mr. Sotherton, 2, towards the Gold 
Medal that same year. During the Season of 1866, it 
was won by Mr. Thos. Boulton, with 34 points ; Mr. W. 
Spottiswoode had 25 ; and Mr. W. Butt, 7 points towards 
the Gold Medal, in 1866. During the Season of 1867, 
it was won by Mr. W. Butt, with 41 points ; Mr. W. 
Spottiswoode, had 24 points; and Mr. J. Spedding, had 
3 points towards the Gold Medal, in the same Season 
of 1867. Gold Clasps with the Winners' Names are 
annually added to the Medal, by the Society. 

* Mr. Henry C. Mules became a Member in 1852, and continued 
so till his death, in 1862. He was a celebrated Archer, and a very 
zealous, warm supporter of the Society, and was a Vice-President; 
his loss was universally regretted, both as a member and as a friend. 



ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 71 

Mr. Anon's Silver Gilt Medal for the 1st Lieutenant 
for which the Field Captain cannot compete, was first 
shot for June 7th, 1866, and won by W. Spottiswoode. 
York Round shot. 

34 116 — 26 108 — 21 101 — 81 325 
And was again won by Mr. W. Spottiswoode, on the 6th 
of June, 1867. 

42 174 — 39 151 — 22 108 — 103 433 

Mr. .A.non's Silver Gilt Medal for the 2nd Lieuten- 
ant, which cannot be held by either the Captain of 
Targets, the Field Captain, the 1st Lieutenant, or Barker 
Member, was first shot for August 2nd, 1866, and won 
by Mr. R. Butt. It was won by Mr. James Spedding 
on the 1st of August, 1867. 

In 1866, it was resolved to have 144 arrows shot at 
80 yds., on some one day. Mr. T. Boulton scored on 
this occasion 113 hits, 501 score. In 1867, Mr. Anon 
presented a Silver Gilt Challenge Medal, for the winner 
of this distance, and it was won by Mr. W. Butt, with 
107 hits, 453 score. 

In 1866, it was resolved to have 144 arrows shot at 
60 yds., on some one day. Mr. T. Boulton made 142 
hits, 828 score. In 1867, Mr. Anon presented a Silver 
Gilt Challenge Medal, for the winner at this distance and 
it was won by Mr. W. Butt, with 133 hits, and 661 score. 

"On Thursday, the 20th of July, 1865, an extra 
target day of the Royal Toxophilite Society, the York 
Round was, as usual, shot by the members. The weather 
was not very favourable for Archery, and the attendance 
was very scanty, owing, no doubt, to the existence, just 
at present, of so many exciting events in the provinces. 
The principal scores were as follows ; 

100 yds. 80 yds, 60 yds. Total. 

h. s. h. s. h. s. h. s. 
J. A. Froude 32 114—27 127—20 94—79 335 

Wm. Butt 18 70—31 127—21 93—70 290 

W. J. Sotherton 19 69—29 121—17 73—65 263 



72 ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 

" Messrs. Hedlam, Pollock, Stopford, Spedding, and 
Holmes were also present. Mr. Froude missed a few 
arrows at 100 yards. At the conclusion of the shooting, 
and after the ballot, a Meeting was held of the Committee 
of the Society. It was resolved that Mr. Anon's hand- 
some donation of a Gold Challenge Medal, to be won 
and worn under the following conditions, be gladly 
accepted. This decoration will be awarded at the con- 
clusion of the present Archery Season, to the town 
member who is the maker of the most points on the 
Crunden and Budworth Target Day, and the first, second, 
third and fourth Target Days. On the Crunden and 
Budworth Target Day, twelve dozen arrows being shot 
at 100 yards, the points will count four for score and 
four for hits. On the first, second and third Target 
Days — the Y'ork Round being shot — the points will count 
on each occasion as in the case of the Grand National 
Society's Champion Challenge Medal. On the fourth 
Target Day, when twelve dozen arrows are shot at 100 
yards, the points will count two for score and two for 
hits. The Society will add a Silver Gilt Clasp each year, 
for the name of the winner for that year. The winner 
is to wear the Medal on all Target and extra Target 
Days during the succeeding season, under a penalty of 
2s. 6d. for each omission. The Medal is to be presented 
to the winner on the fourth Target Day of each season, 
and delivered up again on the fourth Target Day of the 
succeeding season, annually. In cases of ties on hits or 
scores, the points will be counted to the maker of the 
best score or hits ; and in cases of ties in total points the 
Medal will be awarded to the maker of the better score 
on the York Round, in the course of the season. It was 
also resolved that Mr. Anon's offer of a decoration to be 
-worn by the Field Captain be accepted. It was further 
resolved that Mr. Anon's offer to provide a die for a 
badge to be worn by Members of the Royal Toxophilite 
Society, be gladly accepted, subject to the approval of the 
design. The thanks of the Meeting were offered to 
Mr. Anon for his munificence, and further matters of 
business were transacted." 



ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 73 

« On Thursday, the 7th December, 1865, the Royal 
Toxophilite Society held its Anniversary Dinner in the 
Archer's Hall, Regent's Park. Colonel Sir Charles 
Hamilton, Bart,, C.B., was in the Chair. The Meeting 
congratulated the President of the Society, the Right 
Hon. Earl Dudley, on his maariage, and thanked Mr. 
Anon for his many handsome donations, which will add 
much to the interest of the next Archery Season. In 
addition to the Gold Challenge Medal, which was 
won this year by Mr. J. A. Froude, and whose owner- 
ship next year will be decided by the result of the 
shooting on the four Target Days and four of the extra 
Target Days,* Mr. Anon has presented decorations for 
the Field Captain, the Barker Member, the Budworth 
Member, and the Honorary Secretary; and another 
Member has presented a decoration to be won on the 
third Target Day. A condition is annexed to these 
ornaments, that no two of them shall be won by one Mem- 
ber, but this condition, of course, does not apply to the 
Gold Medal or to the Honorary Secretary's ornaments. 
Mr. Anon has also had a die executed, from which a 
badge, to be worn by Members of the Society, is struck. 
This badge is a Silver Gilt Brooch, a very handsome 
ornament, consisting of a shield with the arms of the 
Society surmounted by a crown, and surrounded with a 

* These four extra Target Days, and the Norton Day, when 
144 Arrows are shot at 120 yards — two points are counted for 
greatest score, and two for most hits. The Crunden Day, when 
144 Arrows are shot at 100 yards — four points are counted for 
greatest score, and four points for most hits. The 80 yds. Target 
Day, when 144 Arrows are shot at that distance — four points are 
counted for greatest score, and four points for most hits. The 60 
yards Target Day, when 144 Arrows are shot at that distance, four 
points are counted for greatest score, and four points for most hits. 
The total number of points to be made on the four Target Days, 
and these four extra Target Days, being 68. 



10 — 1st Target 
10 — 2nd Target 
10 — 3rd Target 
10 — 4th Target 
4 — Norton Target 



8 — Crunden Target 
8 — 80 yds. Target 
8 — 60 yds. Target 

68 



74 ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 

scroll containing the description of the Society and the 
date of its institution. The first specimens of this badge 
appeared on the occasion of the Anniversary Dinner, on 
the 7th inst., and were very justly admired." 

" On Thursday last, May 3rd, 1 866, was held the 
Annual General Meeting of the Royal Toxophilite 
Society. It appeared that tlbe receipts of the year 1865 
amounted to £832 15s. 7d., and the expenditure to 
£758 lis. 3d. ; and the estimated receipts of the present 
year amounted to £698 13s. 5d. ; whilst the correspond- 
ing expenditure amounted to £617 9s. 8d. The repairs 
executed last year by Messrs. Cubitt have given great 
satisfaction, and further repairs, more particularly for 
the convenience of Ladies, will be executed this year, 
and a new outer Gate will soon be substituted for the 
present one. The Officers and Committee for the cur- 
rent year were duly elected, and a vote of thanks offered 
to the Officers of the past year. The alterations in the 
Eules to suit the programme, rendered necessary by the 
very liberal donation of decorations for the different 
Officers by Mr. Anon, were sanctioned, and the Meeting 
closed with congratulations to the Society for its steady 
and advancing prosperity. A fund, now amounting to 
£11, has arisen to reward the maker of the first exactly 
central hit on any Target or extra Target Day, made by 
a Subscriber to the fund at the rate of 2s. 6d. per season, 
or 6d. each meeting. One-half of the fund will be paid 
to the maker of the successful hit, the other half being 
retained by the Society to assist the re-creation of the 
fund. It should have been mentioned that on Thursday, 
the 26th of April, Mr. E. Wilkinson got very close to 
the exact centre ; and it is highly probable that, in the 
course of 144 arrows at 60 yards, on Thursday next, 
some lucky arrow may find the exact centre." 

In 1866 the Silver Gilt Practice Challenge Medal, 
presented by E. Wilkinson, Esq., was shot for April 
14th, 1866, on the York Round. 4 Shooters present^ 



ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 75 

and won by Mr. Thomas Boulton, with the following 
score : 

Total. 
100 80 60 Hits. Score. 

43 175 — 40 186 -- 24 148 — 107 509 

Mr. T. Boulton afterwards made 
48 206 — 46 208 -^ 23 133 — 117 551 

Similarly authenticated, and held this Medal under 
the condition that it must be surrendered to the first 
Member who should make a greater score similarly 
authenticated. 

On Saturday, July 6th, 1867, this Medal was won 
by Mr. W. Spottiswoode, who made. 

At 100. At 80. At 60. Hits. Score. 

50 244 — 41 201 — - *23 129 — 114 574 

Golds. Reds. Blues. Blacks. Whites. 

4 4 2 — 16 10 10 — 13 14 5 — 7 6 5 — 10 7 1 

Mr. W. Spottiswoode has added Clasps to this 
Medal recording the progressive scores by which it has 
been won, and the names of its holders. 

A Silver Cup presented by Mr. T. Boulton was shot 
for on July 4th, 1867, on the York Round, and won by 
the maker of most blues. Mr. W. Spottiswoode made 
26, and won the Cup ; Mr. W. Butt made 21, and Col. 
Robertson 19. Mr. Spottiswoode's score was. 

Total. 
37 147 — 34 190 — 23 127 — ' 94 464 

* The one arrow omitted at 60 yds. did not fail to reach the 
target, but actually passed through it, the target being old and 
unsound. 



76 ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 



SIR ASHTON LEVER. 



^IR ASHTON LEVER, Kt., Founder of the 
^ Society, was Son of Sir D'arcy Lever, of Alkington, 
near Manchester. He finished his education at Corpus 
C. C. Oxford ; and on leaving the University, vrenl to 
reside with his Mother, and afterwards settled at his 
Family Seat, Alkington, which he rendered famous by 
the best Aviary in the Kingdom. He next extended 
his views to all the branches of Natural History ; this 
taste for Natural History is said to have arisen from his 
having shot and preserved a white Sparrow. He became 
possessed of one of the finest Museums in the world, 
sparing no expense in procuring specimens from the 
most distant regions. This was removed to London 
about 1775, and opened to the public in Leicester House, 
Leicester Square. From want of public patronage Sir 
Ashton was in 1785 obliged to dispose of it by way of 
lottery, and it fell to the lot of a Mr. Parkinson, who 
built Rooms on the Surrey side of Blackfriar's Bridge, for 
its reception, and did everything in his power to render 
it interesting to the Public, but he was obliged to dispose 
of it by Auction in 1806, when the whole was dispersed. 

Sir Ashton Lever died in 1788, (either on January 
30th, or February 2nd,) of an apoplectic attack, while 
sitting on the Bench with the other Magistrates at 
Manchester. 



ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 77 



JjfHE Society was first resident at Leicester House, 
^ Leicester Square, (better known of late as Savile 
House,) but the shooting took place at Highbury, Can- 
nonbury House, and the Artillery Ground. 

In 1791 the Society rented from the Duke of 
Bedford, Grounds lying on the east side of Gower Street, 
where the Houses on the west side of Torrington Square 
now stand ; and also rented rooms and Cellars in what 
was at that period called Charlotte Street, but now, 34, 
Bloomsbury Street, (not many doors from New Oxford 
Street,) at the back of this house there still stands a long 
range of lofty Work-shops looking northwards into 
Streatham Street, the ground-floor and Cellars of this 
building were occupied by the Society, (the Suppers 
were held here, the Dinners being in the Pavilion in the 
Gower Street Grounds,) Mr. Waring's Work-shops 
occupied the upper floors. 

In 1805 the Archery Grounds being required for 
building purposes, the Society's property remained in 
charge of Mr. Waring, in Caroline Street, Bedford Square, 
till 1821, when Mr. Waring rented a piece of Ground 
of about 4 acres in extent, at £7 per acre, situate at 
Bayswater, on the estate of the Bishop of London, 
opposite the point of separation between Hyde Park and 
the Kensington Gardens, lying on the east side of West- 
bourne Street, and extending from the Oxford Road 
northwards, to the Grand Junction Road at Sussex 
Gardens ; the descent of the Oxford Road opposite the 
Archery Ground, was then much more steep than now, 
and forty years ago somewhat solitary. Mr. Waring 
having put the ground into proper order for Archery, 



78 ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 

and having built a Pavilion in it for the use of the 
Members, the Society in 1821 rented it. There was 
space for three pairs of Targets, with a range of about 
200 yards. Here the Society, having taken up the 
remainder of Mr. Waring's lease, and having renewed 
it at an advanced rent of £110, remained till 1834. 

In this year the Society obtained possession of a most 
eligible piece of Ground, of about 6 acres in extent, from 
the Woods and Forests, situate in the Regent's Park, 
adjoining the Royal Botanical Society's Gardens, and 
bordering the ornamental piece of water, and created there 
one of the most delightful suburban scenes near London. 
The Ground, on account of the plantations, is seldom 
visible from the road : there is a gravelled path enclosing 
th6 whole area, which, except the greensward reserved 
for the Targets, is tastefully laid out with clumps of 
Trees and Flowering Shrubs, and beds embellished with 
a profusion of flowers. 

In the centre of the Ground is erected, from the 
design of E. Moore, Esq., Architect, an elegant Building, 
in the Swiss or Rustic Gothic style, opening on to a broad 
Verandah, and called the ' Archers' Hall." The prin- 
cipal apartment is large and lofty, being 39 ft. long, 
exclusive of the Bay, 23 ft. wide, and 16 ft. high ; 
having 4 large French Windows on the north side, each 
being 10 ft. high, filled with richly painted glass, having 
the armorial bearing of various Members of the Society. 
The Bay Window is also enriched with armorial bearings 
of the Patrons, and various Members. 

The Arms of the Society adorn the ceiling, and 
around its walls are placed a range of 53 " Aschams," of 
solid oak, for the Members' Archery Equipments, and 
each having painted on the door the crest, &c., of its 
possessor. 

A very massive set of Tables, of solid oak, (they 
cost £72,) adorn the centre of the Hall ; at the sides are 



ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 70 

two Tables of the same material, (they cost £14); the 
Chairs are of similar wood, (they cost £41). The Bay 
Window is at the west end. On the south side is the Fire- 
place with a Clock above, (the ornamental case of which 
■cost £17,) between 2 doors opening on to the S. Veran- 
■dah ; at the east end is a door opening into the Dressing 
and Committee Rooms. This noble Apartment is used 
as a Banqueting Hall. The Dressing Room for Members 
is appropriately fitted up, and has on its walls a Portrait 
of H. R. H. the Prince of Wales, engraved after a painting 
by Russell; and a proof Engraving by J. Beugo, after a 
life-size painting by Raeburn, in the Archers' Hall, Edin- 
burgh, of Dr. Nathaniel Spens, a favorite Member of the 
*' Royal Company of Archers," in the royal uniform ; this 
Engraving was presented in 1867, by Mr. Waring. The 
Committee Room is large and commodious, and on its 
walls is a Portrait in oils of H. R. H. George Prince of 
Wales, presented by Mr. J. H. Greene; also two Portraits 
in oils of Sir Wm. Wood (fully described hereafter,) pre- 
sented by Mr. P, Constable; also a Portrait in oils of Mr, 
James Rawson, (vide p. 36,) presented by Mr. Waring, 
Senr. ; and a proof Engraving by J. Heath, after a draw- 
ing by J. Slater, published March 4, 1 789, of an Archery 
Meeting held at Blackheath ; the Archer in the act of 
•shooting is said to be Mr. Waring, Senr.* In a glass case 
on the wall are contained a Persian Bow and Arrows, and 
equipments, presented by Mahmoud Efiendi (in 1794), 
principal Secretary to the Embassy of the Sublime Porte. 
The Bow is now worm-eaten, the Arrows are light, and 
have very small feathers cut like those now called " Para- 
holic.'^ Mahmoud shot these same Arrows ■j~482 yards ; 
he stood in the New Road and shot them over some inter- 
vening fields into the Society's Archery Ground behind 

* The Portrait of Mr. Waring, Senr., (ob. May 20th, 1805, 
set. 74,) who was so intimately connected with the Society in its 
earlier days, and which was painted for them by Sir R. Ker 
Porter, was presented to Mr. Waring on his retiring from the 
Society ; this same Portrait is now in the possession of his Son 
Mr. Waring of Caroline Street, Bedford Square. 

f This fact ou reference is verified by a Gentleman now living, 

K 



80 



ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 



Gower Street, and the exact distance was afterwards 
measured by the three Toxophilites who were present. 

The Ladies' Room is well arranged, for though 
there are no Lady Members, yet the Ladies belonging 
to many of the Members' families, often shoot on such 
days as are not appropriated to the Members, and on 
the ^Ladies' Day' numbers of fair Archeresses grace 
the festive scene ; therefore the Society has studied their 
comfort and convenience also. 

In the building are also rooms for the domestics, 
well appointed Kitchens, &c. 

In the four north Windows in the Banqueting 
Room, are the Armorial Bearings of the following 
Members : 



IL 



I. 



34 


31 


28 


25 


22 


19 


35 32 


29 


26 


23 


20 


36 


33 


30 


27 


24 


21 







16 


13 


10 


7 


4 


1 


17 


14 


11 


8 


5 


2 


18 


15 


12 


9 


6 


3 







IV. 



III. 



70 


67 


64 


61 


58 


55 


71 


68 


65 


62 


59 


5Q 


72 


69 


QQ 


63 


60 


57 







52 


49 


46 


43 


40 


37 


53 


50 


47 


44 


41 


38 


54 


51 


48 


45 


42 


39 







ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 



81 



1 Thomas Bridges 

2 Sir J. Yarde Buller, Bt. 

3 Dukeof Buccleugh,K.G. 

4 Sir H. P. Fleetwood, Bt. 

5 Toyophilite Society 

6 Established A.D. 1781 

7 Alex. Nelson Hood 

8 Andrew Gammell 

9 Geo. Holland Ackers 



II. 



19 Thos. Ramsden 

20 Chas. Griffiths Wynne 

21 Isaac Lyon Goldsmid 

22 J. Green Walford 

23 Archers' Lodge 

24 Erected A.D. 1834 

25 James Mercer 

26 Rd. Bereiis 

27 Eras. Newdigate 

37 Hy. Seawell 

38 C. Barnard 

39 Hy. Parmenter 

40 J. G. Wilkinson 

41 His Majesty William iv. 

42 Patron 

43 Samuel Long 

44 J. Ogilvie Fairlie 

45 Henry Berens 

55 W. Bagot 

56 C. W. G. Wynne 

57 R. N. Gresley, Sec. 

58 Sir F. Shuckburgh, Bt. 

59 Sir Ash ton Lever, Kt., 

60 Founder 

61 Keneage Legge 

62 John Bott 

63 John Finch 



III. 



IV. 



IOC. Wyndham Rawdon 

11 William Robinson 

12 G. Abraham Crawley 

13 G. Rob. Marriott 

14 Sir Ash ton Lever, Kt., 

15 Founder 

16 John Collett 

17 Randell E. Plunkett 

18 R. Barclay, Field Capt. 

28 William Peters 

29 Sir J. Mordaunt, Bt. 

30 W. E. Powell 

31 Rev. J. Holmes 

32 Earlof Aylesford 

33 President 

34 Sir A. Malet, Bt. 

35 Hy. H. Hutchinson 

36 Henry Legge 

46 A. Glen Finlaison 

47 W. Avery West 

48 Ar. C. Legge 

49 W. Grant 

50 Archers' Lodge 

51 Erected A.D. 1834 

52 J. W. Lyon Winder 

53 Thos. Mist 

54 John Norton 

64 Swynfen Jervis 

65 Ar. R. Barker 

66 Dan. Finch, Treasurer 

67 Sir Hy. W. Martin, Bt. 

68 Toxophilite Society 

69 Established A.D. 1781 

70 John Crunden 

71 Thos. Roberts 

72 J. R. Arnold 



m 
0) 

o 
o 






i-H 


CO 


J>000iOr-(NC0^i0Ol> 


OOOiOrHCMCOTJHVOOJ^OO 


<M 




SO 




^ 




»c 




CO CO CO CO CO CO CO CO co co*^ 


'-Hc^icoTHJOco^-coasOi-i 



ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 



83 



1 The Earl of Aylesford's Coat of Arms, with supporters. 

President 1830 

2 Crown of H. M. William iv., 1832 

3 Crown of H. M. George iv. 

4 Coronet of H. R. H. George Prince of Wales, 1787 

5 Sir Ashton Lever, Kt., President 1781 



6 President 1830 



7 W. Watson 

8 Badham Thornhill 

9 T. J. Knowlys 

10 Hy. W. Have 

1 1 J. Hoyes Sadler 

12 Western Wood 

13 J. Hopkinson 

14 Wm. Smyth 

15 Wm. Jervis 

16 Thos. Bourke 

17 Hy. Hippisley 



18 R. Hy. Hunt 

19 Hy. H. Oddie 

20 Hy. Hussey 

21 J. Mitchell 

22 S, G. WoodrufFe 

23 J. H. Baron Tenderden 

24 Chas. C. Black 

25 Sir Hy. Meux, Bt. 

26 W. Shaw Bond 

27 E. F. Moore 

28 A. Morgan 



29 President 1781 



30 F. Grant 

31 J. Basset 

32 E. GraefF 

33 R. Arabin 

34 J. M. Hutchinson 

35 C. Seale Hayne 

36 A. H. Mc.Dougall 

37 W. Ford 

38 F.Tyrrell 

39 H. Nealson Smith 

40 Thos. Dawson 



41 P. Douglas Hadow 

42 Thos. Cabbell 

43 R. Quarme 

44 A. Tod Thompson 

45 C. Lawrence 

46 W. Bowyer Smijth 

47 A. B. Blakiston 

48 S. Nouaille Rudge 

49 W. D. Davis 

50 Wm. Lord Ward 

51 C.J. J. Hamilton 



At the Entrance Gate of the Grounds is a pretty 
and commodious Lodge used as the Gardener's Residence, 



The whole arrangement reflects much credit on the 
taste of the Hon. D. Finch, a former Hon. Secretary, 
under whose direction it was planned, proving that in 



84 ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 

Landscape Gardening his judgment was not inferior to 
his skill as an Archer. 

Various improvements have lately been made under 
the skilful management of the present zealous and 
efficient Hon. Secretary ; and the Royal Society is in a 
most flourishing condition. 

The annual Rent at Bayswater was £110. The 
annual Ground Rent paid to the Woods and Forests for 
the Ground in the Regent's Park, was £122. The entire 
cost of the Building, laying out the Grounds, furnishing 
and finishing, amounted to £4,548 9s. 6d. It is not to 
be supposed that the whole of this sum of money could 
be found at once by the Society, yet it appears that in 
1841 the last payment of £50 to the Rev. J. Holmes, 
was made, and thenceforth the Society was embarrassed 
with no debts. 

At the completion of the Building, &c., the pay- 
ments were arranged thus : 



borrowed of the Rev. J. Holmes 
received by purchase of Subscriptions 
given by Mr. J. Crunden 
contributed by Members at £10 each 
derived from surplus income of 1833 
ditto, 1834 
borrowed from Messrs. Hoare 



About 1840-1 the debts had gradually been reduced 
to £1,450, but this debt having been found irksome, 9 
Members, viz : the Hon. D. Finch, Sir F. Shuckburgh, 
Bt.; J. W. L. Winder, W. Grant, J. G. Wilkinson, Rev. 
J. Holmes, J. G. Walford, Sir H. P. Fleetwood, and 
T. Bridges, volunteered to find £100 each, if the rest 
could be made up, and the rest was found with a surplus 
of 16s., as mentioned in the accounts of 1841. 



£ 


s. 


d. 


1500 








1150 








50 








580 








107 








8 


19 


7 


900 








£4,295 


19 


7 



ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 85 



THE ROYAL TOXOPHILITE BALLS. 

HE Society's Archery Grounds used to be most justly 
celebrated for the fashionable Balls given here, which 
gradually arose out of a little dancing amongst the 
company as a pleasant finish to a day's shooting. The 
immense success of these Balls, got up regardless of 
expense and of a most aristocratic and fashionable char- 
acter, magnified them into unwieldy dimensions and they 
were at length given up, for it was found that, though 
Dancing increased in popularity, Archery diminished in 
the same proportion. 

The Balls were occasionally most profitable to the 
funds of the Society, but as they had no connexion with 
Archery, it is scarcely to be regretted that the present 
' Ladies' Day Fete,' has become an established Institu- 
tion instead. 

The first mention of a Ball being given in the 
Society's Grounds is in the Minute Book of 1839. From 
which it appears that a " Bal Champetre " took place on 
June 25th, 1839, when upwards of 500 persons attended. 
Another took place on July 23rd, and was attended by 
300 persons. 

In 1841, a Ball was given by several Members, to 
about 200 fashionables. 

In 1842, a Ball took place, but no date is given. 

In a Minute dated May 20th, a Motion was made 
that a ^ Fete' be given on June 21st, and that Archery 



86 ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 

be made a part of it, if the names of 9 Ladies be put 
down before June 12th, but there is no further record 
on the subject. 

The attempt to get up a Ball in 1843 failed, for 
want of sufficient support. 

In 1844, a Ball took place on June I4th, and was 
attended by 400 persons. 

In 1845, a Ball took place on July 9th, and was 
attended by 400 persons, and dancing was kept up to a 
late hour. 

In 1846, a Ball took place on June 26th, and 
attended by 450 persons, and dancing was kept up to 
5 a.m. 

In 1847, a Ball took place on June 18th, and was 
attended by 450 persons, and dancing was kept up to a 
late hour. 

In 1848, the Ball took place on June 22nd, and 
was attended by 500 persons. 

In 1849, the Ball took place on June 29th, and was 
attended by between 400 and 500 persons. This Ball 
gave trouble, on account of complaints made against 
some persons who were admitted. 

In 1850, the Ball took place on June 27, and was 
numerously attended. 

In 1851, the Ball took place on June 18th, and was 
numerously attended. 

In 1852, the Ball took place on June 15th, and was 
well attended. 

In 1853, the Ball took place on June 22nd, and 
was well attended. 

In 1854, the Ball took place on June 21st, and was 
attended by 213 persons. This was the last of the 
Society's Balls. 



ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 87 



THE LADIES' DAY FETES. 



CTfHE Royal Toxopliilite Society, like other London 
^^ Clubs consists of Gentlemen Members only, yet here, 
the Ladies are not altogether forgotten. The Ladies 
of a Member's family can shoot regularly on the ground 
at Targets appropriated to their use, and a Room in the 
Archers' Hall is fitted up for them. One day is annually 
appointed by the Committee as the ' Ladies' Day^ when 
the Grounds are given up exclusively to the use of those 
Members v^^ho -subscribe to a fund to defray the cost of 
Prizes, Refreshments, and all other expenses attendant 
on the ' i^e^e ; ' the usual subscription is 21s., and the 
average total £50. The Subscribers issue the Cards of 
admission, and nominate the Ladies who are to shoot, as 
the Gentlemen do not shoot, but keep the scores, and 
attend on the Ladies. 

These ' Fetes ' are not of long standing, but they 
are deservedly popular, being unique in character, and 
most of the celebrated Archeresses of the Kingdom re- 
appear annually at these Toxophilite contests. The 
average number of Ladies shooting is 55. The R. T. S. 
is now as celebrated for these ' Fetes,^ as it used to be 
for its Balls. 

It will occasionally appear in the following accounts 
of the ' Ladies' Days,' that the highest scores have not 
won, a system of handicapping being adopted so as to 
equalize to some extent the chances of the Archeresses ; 
at present the rule is : any Lady having won a 1st Prize 
at either of the two last Meetings of the G. N., or G. W. 



88 ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 

Societies, at the Leamington, or Crystal Palace Meetings, 
or on these Grounds, shall lose blacks and whites, and 
any Lady having won a score prize at any of the above 
Meetings shall lose whites, and any Lady having won 
the 1st Prize twice on these Grounds, shall lose blues, 
blacks, and whites. 

,^HE First ' Ladies' Day ' entered on the records, was 
^ on June 29th, 1859. 28 Ladies shot the ' National 
Round,' at 6 pairs of Targets. During the time occupied 
by making up the scores, there was a handicap on half 
the number of arrows at each distance. Prizes : Miss 
H. Chetwynd, best score, 64 — 330 : Miss Tzeliska (now 
Mrs. Thomson,) 2nd ditto; Mrs. Mogg, score at 60; 
Mrs. Pollock, ditto at 50; Mrs. Buckley, most golds; 
Mrs. Flavell, best gold ; Mrs. Walters ditto at 60 ; 
Miss C. Jekyll, ditto at 50. Very fine. 

The 2nd ^Ladies' Day' was on June 21st, 1860. 
37 Ladies shot. Prizes : Mrs. Lichfield, best score, 
62—272 ; Mrs. E. Young, 2nd ditto, 234 ; Miss J. 
Spedding, score at 60, 134; Mrs. Flavell, ditto at 50, 95 ; 
Mrs. O. Luard, most golds : Miss E. Richard, best gold ; 
Mrs. Ward, ditto at 60; Miss C. Allen, ditto at 50. 
Very wet. 

The 3rd ^Ladies' Day' was on June 26th, 1861. 
36 Ladies shot at 9 pairs of Targets. There was also a 
Handicap. The value of the Prizes was £22 12s., and 
£3 10s. 6d. for the Handicap. Prizes : Mrs. Fitzgerald, 
best score, 49—217 ; Miss Croker, 2nd ditto, 182 ; Mrs. 
Ward, score at 60, 104; Mrs. Tawney, ditto at 50, 71 ; 
Miss Carnac, most golds ; Mrs. Eccles, best gold ; Miss 
C. Jekyll, ditto at 60; Miss Wetherell, ditto at 50. 
Very fine, but windy. 

The 4th 'Ladies' Day' was on June 24th, 1862. 
57 Ladies shot at 9 pairs of Targets. The usual Han- 
dicap was shot. Prizes : Miss H. Chetwynd, best score, 
58—268 ; Miss L. Turner, 2nd ditto, 243 ; Mrs. Malet, 



ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 89 

most golds: Miss Cuthbert, score at 60, 129; Mrs. 
Thomson, ditto at 50, 99 ; Miss Rhodes, best gold ; Miss 
L. Stoiihouse, ditto at 60 ; Miss H. Cuthbert, ditto at 50. 
Fine, and no wind. 

The 5th ^Ladies' Day'' was on June 16th, 1863. 
40 Ladies shot at 10 pairs of Targets. Prizes: Miss 
Pennethorne, best score, 48 — 242; Mrs C. H. Everett, 
2nd ditto, 229; Miss Willan, score at 60, 136, (losing 
whites) ; Miss Cuthbert, ditto at 50, 88 ; Miss Brodhurst, 
most golds ; Miss Glennie, best gold ; Miss Croker, 
ditto at 60 ; Miss T. Spedding, ditto at 50. The earlier 
part of day wet, but the latter fine. 

The 6th 'Ladies' Day' was on July 12th, 1864. 
66 Ladies shot at 10 pairs of Targets. Prizes: Miss 
Betham, best score, 336, (actual score 378, having lost 
42 for blacks and whites) ; Mrs. Litchfield, 2nd ditto, 
250; Miss L. Butt, score at 60, 152; Mrs. Pattle 
Beecher, ditto at 50, 104 ; Mrs. Hare, most golds ; Miss 
A. DufF Gordon, best gold ; Miss Mc. Kenzie Kettle, 
ditto at 60 ; Mrs. Lermitte, ditto at 50. Very fine. 
The usual Handicap was shot. 

The 7th 'Ladies' Day' was on July 4th, 1865. 

" Eight pairs of Targets were used on this occasion. 
The subscription amounted to £47 5s.; and £11 was 
subscribed for the Handicap Prizes. The subscription 
list was headed by His Grace the Duke of Buccleugh, 
whose lead was followed by 44 other Members. A finer 
day could scarcely have been wished for, though there 
was a baffling breeze from the west. 42 Ladies appeared 
to contend for the 8 Prizes presented by the club for 
competition, and supplied on this occasion by Messrs. 
Howell and James. After four dozen arrows had 
been shot at 60 yards, the prominent scores were 
Miss Betham's, of 42 hits and 210 score, (and it must 
here be mentioned that one of Miss Betham's arrows 
fell out of the Target, and could not be scored); Miss 
S. Dawson's, of 37 hits and 163 score; Miss Sowerby's, 



90 ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 

of 35 hits and 161 score; Miss Adams', of 35 hits and 
151 score; and Miss E. K. Fenton's, of 38 hits and 
148 score. At this distance Miss M. B. Dawson (now 
Mrs. JefFeries) made a perfectly central hit in the gold, and, 
as will be seen, received her reward. As is not unusual, 
the fortunes of the day changed somewhat when, after an 
interval of half an hour for refreshments, the contest wa& 
continued at 50 yards. ' Two dozen arrows were now 
shot to complete the National Round, and Miss S. Dawson 
led with the score of 124, not missing one arrow. Miss 
Betham followed with 23 hits and a score of 107 ; then 
came Mrs. Miller with 19 hits and a score of 103. Miss 
Adams and Miss F. Carnac had an equal score of 98, the 
former marking 22 hits, and the latter 20. Next in 
order appeared Mrs. Buckley, with a score of 93 and 21 
hits ; and Mrs. B. Luard, 85 score and 1 7 hits. The 
details of the prize list, and also the full score and par- 
ticulars of the shooting of all the Ladies, will be found 
below : 

First prize for best score. Miss Betham (317, 57) — ^260^ 
Second prize for second score. Miss Adams — 249 
Third prize, score at 60 yards. Miss Sowerby — 161 
Fourth prize, score at 50 yards. Miss S. Dawson (124 

24)— 110 
Fifth prize, most golds, Mrs. Miller — 6 
Sizth prize, best gold. Miss M. B. Dawson 
Seventh prize, best gold at 60 yards, Mrs. Hare 
Eighth prize, best gold at 50 yards, Miss F. Carnac 
Medal for score. Miss S. Dawson — 287 
Medal for hits, Miss S. Butt— 45 
Extra prize for score. Miss S. Butt — 173 
Extra prize for hits. Miss L. J. Butt — 36 

Handicap Prizes. 

actual score, 
First, Miss Croker 115 

Second, Miss Betham 193 

Third, Mrs. Hare 104 

Fourth, Miss J. Spedding 50 



auueu. 
86 


ii/iai. 
201 


. 


193 


82 


186 


132 


182 



ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 91 

Fifth, Mrs. Miller, best gold 

Sixth, Miss Brodhurst, second best gold 

In addition to the Prizes given by the Society, the 
Honorary Secretary gave a Silver-gilt Toxophilite Medal 
for the best score made by a near relation of a member, 
which was won by Miss S. Dawson ; and a similar Medal 
and two extra Prizes, were given by Mr. Anon on similar 
conditions, and won by Miss S. Butt, and Miss L. J. 
Butt. It is worthy of mention that at the close of the 
shooting for the handicap Mrs. Miller, with her last six 
arrows, scored five golds and one blue, and Miss Croker 
scored almost as well at the same time. It is usual at 
these meetings to deduct black and whites from all Ladies 
who have won first prizes in the two preceding years at 
the Grand National Meetings, the Grand Western Meet- 
ings, the Leamington Meetings, and the meetings on 
this ground ; and whites from all Ladies winning score 
prizes at the same meetings. It resulted from this rule 
that Miss Betham, with a score of 317, lost 57 in blacks 
and whites, but still won the first prize ; Miss S. Dawson 
also lost blacks and whites, and therefore could not take 
either of the first three Prizes, -but won the Prize for 
score at 50 yards." 



The 8th 'Ladies' Day' was on June 26th, 1866. 
47 Ladies shot at 10 pairs of Targets. Fine, but windy. 

" On Tuesday, the 26th inst., the Archery Meeting 
so well known as the Ladies' Day took place in the Gar- 
dens of the Royal Toxophilite Society, in the inner 
circle of the Regent's-park. The day seemed to be made 
on purpose for the occasion, though some complained of 
the heat, and others found the gusts of wind more plea- 
sant to themselves than favourable to the flight of their 
arrows. At a quarter past two o'clock forty-seven Ladies, 
amongst whom were many of the celebrated archeresses 
of the day, assembled before about ten pairs of targets. 



92 ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 

fated to be severely punished during the afternoon. Four 
dozen arrows were shot at 60 yards, when the following 
principal results were obtained : 

Hits. Score. 



Miss S. Dawson 


46 


232 


„ S. Butt 


36 


164 


„ L. J. Butt 


33 


145 


„ Caldwell 


36 


144 


,5 Ley 


35 


143 


Mrs. Litchfield 


34 


136 


„ Fitzgerald 


30 


134 


„ Everett 


37 


127 


Miss A. D. Gordon 


31 


125 


Mrs. Hoskins 


32 


124 


„ P. Becher 


28 


122 



Thus only two of Miss Dawson's arrows missed the 
target. The best gold at this distance was made by Miss 
Q,uin, and it happened, curiously enough, that this was 
the first arrow shot during the day. Half an hour was 
now devoted to rest and refreshment, and at a quarter 
past four o'clock the shooting at 50 yards (24 arrows) 
commenced, and produced the following chief results : 





Hits. 


Score, 


Miss S. Dawson 


24 


126 


„ S. Butt 


21 


115 


„ Betham 


24 


110 


Mrs. Hoskins 


20 


106 


Miss Ley 


18 


96 



At this distance both Miss Dawson and Miss Betham 
secured places in the targets for all the arrows they shot. 
Mrs. Miller made the best shot of this meeting, destroy- 
ing the. pinhole which marks the centre of the gold. The 
following statement shows the total results of the shooting 
of the Ladies who made the principal scores : — 



ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 93 

COMPLIMENTAKY PrIZES. 

First prize, for best score, Bouquet, Miss S. Dawson, 358 
Second ditto, for most hits. Bouquet, Miss S. Butt, 57 

First prize, Gold Necklet, best score, 358 less 44, deducted 

for blacks and whites — 314, Miss S. Dawson 
Second ditto, Gold Bracelet, second score, 279 less 9, 

deducted for whites— 270, Miss S. Butt 
Third ditto, Locket, third score, 239 less 8, deducted for 

whites— 231, Miss Ley- 
Fourth ditto, Ornamental Mirror, score at 60 yards — 

144, Miss Caldwell 
Fifth ditto, Vase, score at 50 yards — 107, Mrs. Hoskins 
Sixth ditto, Tazza, best gold, Mrs. Miller 
Seventh ditto. Crystal Tazza, best gold at 60 yards, Miss 

Q,uin 
Eighth ditto, Bohemian Jug, best gold at 50 yards. Miss 

Donne 

In addition to these Prizes, Mr. Anon, to whom 
the Society is so largely indebted for many valuable con- 
tributions in the shape of challenge prizes, gave a silver 
gilt Toxophilite Medal for the best score, which was won 
by Miss S. Dawson; and a handsome silver Bouquet 
Holder for the best gold not winning a previous prize, 
which was won by Miss L. J. Butt. This Lady would 
have won tha prize for best score at 60, having made 145 
at that distance, whilst Miss Ley made 144; but Miss 
L. J. Butt's score suffered a reduction of 7 for whites, as 
she came out seventh on the prize list at the last meeting 
of the G. N. Archery Society. Whilst the owners of 
these prizes were being discovered by the Committee, 
24 arrows were shot at 60 yards, and 12 arrows at 50 
yards for certain Consolation Prizes, which were allotted 
as follows : — 

1st, best score (144), Mrs. Fitzgerald — Fan, given by 

Mr. R. Butt 
2nd, best gold. Silver Bracelet, given by Mr. Anon, Miss 

Croker, being the sister of a member elected before 

1866 



94 ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 

3rd, best gold at 60, Silver Bracelet, given by Mr. T. 

Boulton, Miss A. DufF Gordon 
4th, best gold at 50, Silver Bracelet, given by the Hon. 

Secretary, Miss Shelley 

At seven o'clock Mr. F. Pollock, one of the Vice- 
presidents of the Society, proceeded to distribute the 
Prizes to the successful competitors, after which ceremony 
the fashionable meeting of spectators interested in the 
prettiest of all Toxophilite gatherings departed." 

The 9th 'Ladies' Day' was on July 9th, 1867. 
Ladies shot at 1 pairs of Targets. 

" That most delightful and fashionable of all Archery 
Meetings, the Ladies' Day at the Royal Toxophilite 
Society, is an event which we annually record with 
additional reasons for commending the gallantry and 
hospitality which ensures for the meeting an increasing 
measure of success and popularity, and the competition 
itself being exclusively confined to Ladies, is thereby 
rendered conspicuous among the Prize Shootings of every 
succeeding season. Tuesday last, when the grounds of 
the Society in Regent's Park were thronged, on invita- 
tion, by visitors, was one of the most perfect that Archer 
or Archeress could desire. Under such genial influence 
forty-eight Ladies took their allotted places at ten pairs 
of targets, and about two o'clock commenced shooting 
48 arrows at 60 yards, at which Miss S. Dawson, the 
" Championess of the West," made the very extraordinary 
score of 283, missing only one arrow out of 48, and 
counting 11 golds, 14 reds, 12 blues, 8 blacks, and 2 
whites. The other principal results at this distance : 
Miss L. J. Butt, 38 hits, 172 score; Miss Ripley, 38, 
164; Miss Marian Ellis, 36, 164; Miss Quin, 37, 159; 
Miss A. DufF Gordon, 35, 159; Miss S. Butt, 37, 143; 
Miss Adams, 33, 143; and Miss Arbuthnott, 31, 139. 
Good golds were marked to Mrs. Hinchliffe, Mrs. Bur- 
rard, Miss Christy, Miss Ripley, and Mrs. P. Becher ; 
and Mrs. Hinchliffe— a fine central hit — was ultimately 



ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 95 

declared the best of the day. After an interval, during 
which refreshments were served to the shooters, subscrib- 
ers, and visitors, the Ladies resumed their match, this 
time at 50 yards, at which 24 arrows were shot by each. 
Again only one of Miss Dawson's shafts failed to find 
lodgment in the canvas ; she made an additional score of 
123, from, of course, 23 hits; and thus secured the 
magnificent gross score of 406 from 70 arrows. It was 
publicly stated that no such score had been made upon 
the Society's grounds on any previous occasion. It ex- 
ceeds Miss Betham's performance at the Grand Leinster 
Meeting last September, the score of the championess 
being then the best score she had ever secured in public 
on the double round — namely, 754; on the first day 375, 
and on the second 379. There is, we believe, no record 
of any lady having made every arrow out of 72 ; but it 
should be mentioAed, as an instance of Miss Dawson's 
accurate style of shooting, that this difiicult feat had 
nearly been accomplished by her on Tuesday, inasmuch 
as the single uncounted arrow of hers at sixty yards did 
in its flight actually touch the target, and that the one 
defaulter at fifty yards found a place in the hind support 
of the Target. Miss Dawson's shooting was the theme 
of general admiration. At the shorter distance the other 
leading scores were: Miss Stephenson, 23, 113; Miss 
Quin, 22, 102; Miss L. J. Butt, 21, 97; Mrs. Pattle 
Becher, 21, 97 ; Miss Addison, 17, 95 ; Miss Ripley, 21, 
95. The best golds at fifty yards were those of Miss 
Bray, Miss Arbuthnot, Mrs. Pattle Becher, and Miss 
Ripley. 

The Prizes were awarded as follows : Open prize, 
presented by Mr. Anon, a silver-gilt Medal, for best score, 
without deductions. Miss S. Dawson, 70 hits, value 406. 
Subscribers' prizes. — 1st. First score. Miss S. Dawson, 
359, after deducting 47 for blacks and whites — silver-gilt 
Teapot. 2nd. Second score, Miss Stephenson, 64 hits, 
value 280 — silver-mounted Shell Inkstand. 3rd. Third 
score. Miss L. J . Butt, 258 after deducting 1 1 for whites — 
gold bracelet or necklet. 4th. Fourth score, Miss Quin, 

M 



96 HOYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 

249, after deducting 12 for whites — Earrings. 5th. 
Score at 60 yards, Miss Marion Ellis, 36, 164 — Stand 
for photographic portraits. 6th. Score at 50 yards, 
Miss Addison — Chinese Fan. 7th. Best gold, Mrs. 
Hinchliffe-^cut-glass Casket mounted in ormolu. 8th. 
Gold at 60 yards, Mrs. Burrard — Wedgwood Book-stand. , 
9th. Gold at 50 yards, Miss Bray (a tie with Miss 
Arbuthnot). 10th. 2nd best gold Miss Christy — ormolu 
Taper Stand. Extra Prizes for near relatives of mem- 
bers. — 11th. Given by Mrs. W. Spottiswoode, for score, 
Miss Arbuthnot, 215 — an elegant Tea-service. 12th. 
Presented by the Hon. Secretary, for score. Miss S. 
Butt, 210, after deducting 14 for whites. 13th. By 
Mr. Anon, for score. Miss Croker, 108 — a Dagger for 
the hair. 14th. By Mr. Antient, for most whites, Mrs. 
Thomson, 13 — silver-gilt Spoon. 15th. A pair of 
Gloves for most whites at the last end. Miss Knight. 
Whilst the committee were ascertaining the results on 
which these Prizes were ultimately adjudicated, 24 
arrows were shot at 60 yards, and 12 at 50 yards, for 
which two prizes had also been presented — namely, a 
lady's scent Bottle, the gift of Thomas Dawson, Esq., 
won by Miss Addison ; and a bandeau for hair, presented 
by R. Butt, Esq., as a reward for best gold in the last 
three ends, won by Miss Duff Gordon. Shortly before 
seven o'clock the Prizes were distributed to the respective 
winners by W. F. Pollock, Esq., who in a few very ele- 
gantly expressed sentences, thanked the fair competitors 
for their attendance, and complimented them upon their 
achievements, especially Miss S. Dawson upon attaining 
a score that was certainly the highest ever made by a 
lady on the grounds of the Royal Toxophilite Society, 
and occupied also a most prominent position amongst the 
greatest of public scores obtained on a single national 
round. Col. Sir C. J. J. Hamilton, Bart., C.B., acted as 
judge, and Mr. Richard Butt measured the golds during 
the day." 




ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 97 



PRIVATE FETES. 

<< i|^UT of the many thousands who frequent the/e^es of 
^^ the Royal Botanical Society, entering the Regent's 
Park by York-gate, how few know or observe that they 
pass by the gardens of the Royal Toxophilite Society. 
These gardens are so sheltered with trees and shrubberies 
that scarcely a glimpse of them can be obtained from any 
point ; and, unless occasionally the bright face of a tar- 
get with the sun shining upon it peeps through the thick 
foliage, no one would guess to what purpose the grounds 
are devoted. Yet here the society holds its daily and 
weekly meetings, and each member possesses the privilege 
of securing the grounds on any Monday for the purposes 
of an entertainment given to his friends and acquaintances. 
On Monday,. May 27th, 1867, a large assemblage of 
fashionable people met here, through the liberality of W. 
Spottiswoode, Esq., F.R.S., a member of the society. 
About 400 visitors and members were present in the 
course of the afternoon. The principal amusements 
were archery and croquet. The wind was very boisterous, 
making shooting difficult for the toxophilites, and a heavy 
shower fell, which effectually stopped both sports for half 
an hour. Six pairs of targets were used ; and the ladies 
shot 48 arrows at 60 yards and 24 at 50 ; whilst the 
gentleixien shot 48 at 80 and 24 at 60. Fourteen ladies 
and twenty gentlemen competed, and there were five sets 
of croquet in play. The following scores were made : 

60 yds. 50 yds. Totals, 

h. s. h. s, h. s. 

MissL. J. Butt 30 114 21 111 51 225 

„ S. Butt 31 129 21 89 52 218 

„ Arbuthnot 21 71 16 70 37 141 

„ Lewin 20 76 17 57 37 133 

„ Addison 27 105 9 27 36 132 

„ F. Bray 18 58 15 47 33 105 



98 ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 





80 


yds. 


60 


yds. 


Totals. 




h. 


s. 


h. 


s. 


h. s. 


W. Spottiswoode, Esq. 


36 


130 


21 


117 


57 247 


W. Butt, Esq. 


26 


112 


21 


113 


47 225 


A. T. Malkin, Esq. 


24 


84 


15 


69 


39 153 


G. E. Hicks, Esq. 


24 


78 


15 


63 


39 141 


Col. Robertson 


20 


70 


14 


56 


36 126 


F. Prothero, Esq. 


14 


54 


15 


65 


29 119 


J. Spedding, Esq. 


22 


76 


12 


40 


36 118 


E. Wilkinson, Esq. 


23 


57 


12 


52 


35 109 


J. S. Stopford, Esq. 


9 


39 


13 


69 


22 108 


E. R. Willis, Esq. 


13 


35 


14 


68 


27 103 


L. Oliver, Esq. 


13 


51 


13 


51 


26 102 



The sports commenced soon after 3 o'clock, and 
were finished at about 7 o'clock. At 7.15 Mr. and Mrs. 
Spottiswoode distributed the following Prizes to the suc- 
cessful competitors : — 1st. Best score. Miss L. J. Butt,« 
51,225. 2nd. Most hits, Miss S. Butt, 52, 218. 3rd. 
Most whites. Miss L. Ellis, 13. 4th. Best gold. Miss 
M. Longman. Each of the other ladies received a 
complimentary present as a remembrance of the occasion. 
1st. Best score, W. Butt, Esq., 47, 225. 2nd. Most 
hits, A. T. Malkin, Esq., 39, 153. 3rd. Most whites, 
E.Wilkinson, Esq., 16. 4th. Best gold, F. Prothero, 
Esq. Mr. Spottiswoode himself made the best score, 
57, 247, but took no prize. A large Tent was erected 
by Messrs. Edgington, to adjoin the Archers' Hall, and 
this tent was well supplied with refreshments by Messrs. 
Gunter." 

R. R. BUTT invited his friends (archers and 
archeresses) to an Entertainment on Monday, July 
15th, 1867, in the Regent's Park grounds, in exercise 
of his privilege as a member of the Royal Toxophilite 
Society. In the archery competition the following prize 
list was obtained : — Ladies. 1st. Best score. Miss Ripley 
281, less 10. 2nd. Miss Quin, 221, less 11. 3rd. Score 
at 60j Mrs. Burrard, 128. 4th. Score at 50, Mrs. Miller, 
95, less 1. 5th. Most golds. Miss Betham, 7- 6th. 
Best gold, Miss Kent, 7th. Best gold at last end at 50, 



ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY; 99 

Miss Oddie. It happened that no gold was made by any 
of the ladies at the last end of the round, so another last 
end was shot. Gentlemen: — 1st. Best score, Mr. Rim- 
ington, 210, less 7. 2nd. Mr. M. C. Betham', 216, less 
15. 3rd. Score at 80, Mr. E. R. Willis, 114. 4th. At 
60, Capt. Betham, 93, less 3. 5th. Most golds, Capt. 
MacKinnon, 3; (in this case there was a tie between 
Capt. M. and Mr. W. S. Miller, which was decided in 
favour of the former who had the better score). 6th. 
Best gold, Mr. G. E, Hicks. 7th. Best gold at last end 
at 60, Mr. W. Spottiswoode ; for this event there was a 
tie between Mr. W. S. and Mr. E. Oddie, so the tie was 
shot off; two ends were shot, in the second of which 
Mr. W. S. made the only gold and won. The scores 
were much reduced below the expected average by a 
most troublesome wind, which occasionally succeeded in 
overthrowing the targets, and by the very heavy rain 
w^hich stopped the proceedings at intervals. Refresh- 
ments, by Gunter, were provided most liberally in a large 
Marquee near the Hall." 

Qi * Good Conduct Prize,' a handsome gold Pen and 
Czr Pencil Case, presented by Mr. Anon, for that mem- 
ber who attended on most Target and Extra Target 
Days, shooting the full complement of arrows on each 
occasion, was won by Mr. S. Banner, in 1866, he having 
attended on 16 days. 

C^ ' Good Conduct Prize,' a Silver Pocket Flask, was 
O presented by Mr. Anon, in 1867, on the same con- 
ditions as above. The competition for this Prize resulted 
in a tie between Mr. James Spedding, and Mr. W. Butt, 
each having attended and completed the appointed round 
on 14 out of the 23 Target and Extra Target Days of 
the season. This tie was decided in favor of Mr. W. B., 
on November 28th, in the same year, in a Handicap 
Match with Mr. J. S. The York Round being shot. 

337. W.B. 29, 105. 37, 141 . 22, 106—88, 352 

298. J.S. 28,100.27,109.18, 84— 73, 293 & 39— 332 



100 ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 



SIR WILLUM WOOD. 



/jTHARLES II. took great delight in Archery, and 
^ Knighted Sir William Wood, a Marshal of the 
Archer's Fraternity, as being an excellent shot, he was 
also held in high esteem by his cotemporaries.* Catherine 
of Portugal, Queen of Charles ii., seems to have been 
much pleased with Archery, for in 1676, by the contri- 
butions of Sir Edward Hungerford and others she pre- 
sented a silver Badge or Shield (fully described hereafter) 
to the Marshal of the Fraternity of Finsbury Archers. . 



" This Badge was unanimously confided to the keep- 
ing of Sir Wm. Wood ; afterwards the oldest members of 
the Fraternity undertook the charge of it in succession, 
together with its Case, and a pair of Arrows (described 
hereafter) won by two other members. This Case re- 
sembles a cupboard with folding doors, having on the 
inside of each a Portrait of the old Knight in his official 
costume ; the countenance indicates great intelligence, 
and good humour ; in his hand is the Marshal's Staff, 
and on his breast the silver Badge, mentioned alcove ; he 
is represented with mustachios, a fine flowing beard, and 
wears a handsome dark velvet hat, surmounted by a rich 



* At a procession of Archers, April 21st, 1682, to an 
Archery Meeting held in Tuttle Fields, before His Majesty the 
King, Sir Ed. Hungerford, Knight of the Bath, was Colonel ; 
Mr. M. Arnold, Lt. Col. ; Mr. J. Edwards, Major; Mr. H. War- 
ren, Captain Lieutenant ; Mr. E. Gough, Mr. E. Donne, Mr. G. 
Walker, and Mr. J. Manley, Captains; and Mr. J. Jennings, 
Lieut ; on this occasion at least 1000 Archers were in the field. 



ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 101 

plume, while the lower part of his dress which is equally 
picturesque, resembles what Vandyke gives to many of 
his family pictures, ' The legend 

Sir William Wood, 

appears beneath the first Portrait; and — 

With abundance of love, 

an expression he often used — beneath the second." These 
two Portraits are now in gold frames, and there is no 
record when this alteration took place ; they are painted 
upon oak (in fact upon the very doors of the Case), and 
are 2ft. 10 in. high, and 1 ft. Gin. wide.* 

Sir Wm. Wood (author of the ' Bowman's Glory') 
died in 1691, aet. 82, and was buried at Clerkenwell, 
and when the Church was rebuilt (1788-92), the Tox- 
ophilite Society manifested their respect for the old 
Marshal, by expending a considerable sum on the removal 
of the monument from the outside of the old to the interior 
of the new Edifice, and also on its re-embellishment. 

The following is the result of a visit this year to St. 
James's Church, Clerkenwell : — Sir W. Wood's monu- 
ment is placed in a very dark part of a small staircase, at 
the south-east angle, leading to a gallery of the Church. 
The upper part of the monument is imperfect and it may 



* An inteiesting discovery was made on a recent examination 
of the Pictures ; at the back of each is a raised bold beading, 
forming a kind of frame 2 ft. 6 in. high, and 1 ft. 2 in. wide, 
and enclosing a figure standing on an ornamental pedestal, and 
habited in a very similar costume to that worn by the supporters 
on each side of the Silver Badge or Shield, and represent armed 
Guards in charge of the treasures contained inside the Case. 
These figures have never been highly finished, and are now from 
lapse of time and damp much injured. When the Case was in its 
original state, these figures decorated the exterior. There is 
some idea of having these curious and remarkable mementoes of 
the past placed together in a more appropriate Frame. 



102 ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 

have been surmounted originally by a Bust or Coat of 
Arms, otherwise the monument is in good condition, and 
bears the following quaint and characteristic inscription : 

Sr. William Wood lyes very near this stone 
In's time in Archery Excelled by none 
Few were his Equalls and this Noble Art 
Has suiFer'd here in the most tender part 
Long did he live the honour of the Bow 
And his Long life to that alone did owe 
But how can Art secure or what can save 
Extreame Old age From an appointed grave 
Surviving Archers much his Losse lament 
And in respect bestow'd this monument 
Where Whistling Arrowes did his worth proclaim 
And Eterniz'd his Memory and Name. 

Obijt. Sep. 4. 
. CDni. 1691. 

^^"^ i^tat. 82. 

On the ornamental supporting Bracket is the follow- 
ing inscription : — 

This Monument was erected 

by 

The Toxophilite Society of London, 

1791. 




ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 103 



FREEDOMS. 

OYAL Company of Archers. To Sir Asliton Lever, 
President of the Toxophilite Society, at Leicester 
House, London, and the other Members of the said 
Society, the Royal Company of Archers, instituted by 
Charter under the Great Seal of Scotland, 

SEND GREETING 

The President and Council of the Royal Company hav- 
ing taken into due consideration the general utility of a 
friendly connection and correspondence among the several 
Companies established in Great Britain for promoting 
and collecting the antient and noble Art of Archery ; and 
being particularly desirous of conferring every mark of 
esteem in the power of the Royal Company upon the 
Toxophilite Society at Leicester House, do hereby in 
name and in behalf of the said Royal Company, Give, 
Grant, and Commit to the said Sir Ashton Lever and 
his successors in office, and to all and each of the Mem- 
bers of the said Toxophilite Society, so often as they or 
any of them shall happen to be in Scotland, full and free 
liberty and permission of exercising and practising the 
said noble and antient Art of Archery, either in shooting 
at Butts or Rovers within the ])roperties belonging to the 
said Royal Company at all times and upon all occasions, 
and hereby order and require all and each of their Mar- 
kers, Officers, and Servants to give all or any of the said 
Toxophilite Society free access and admission to their 
grounds and territories when required. 
• 

And the President and Council in name of the said 
Royal Company do hereby declare that any of the mem- 
bers of the said Toxophilite Society who may happen to 



104 ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 

reside in Scotland, or be occasionally there, shall be 
entitled to befelected and received a Member of the said 
Royal Company of Archers (and that gratis) upon sub- 
scribing the laws and regulations made by them and 
confirmed and enjoined by their Charter. Declaring 
always that these presents^shall not be prejudicial to but 
corroborative of any'former act of admission granted by 
the said^Royal Company in favor of the said Sir Ash ton 
Lever or any other of the Members of the said Toxophi- 
lite Society, 

Given under the Seal of 
the Royal Company at 
their Hall near Edinburgh 
the 21st day of July, in the 
26th year of the Reign 
of our Sovereign Lord 
George the iii., &c., and in 
the year of our Lord 1786. 

(Signed) Jas. Pringle, 

President, C. R. C. A. 



[T is stated that a mutual exchange of honours 
ensued between the Royal Toxophilites and the 
Woodmen of Arden. The former conferred the Freedom 
of their Society, with permission to shoot on their ground, 
&c., by a diploma elegantly emblazoned, and enclosed 
in a box of yew. That by which the Woodmen returned 
the compliment, was received in a box made of the heart 
of oak, the growth of the forest whence they derive 
their name." 



(Signed) James Gray, 

VViLLM. Dunbar, 

Joint Secretaries, 

R. C. A. 



ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 105 



if JTrO the most honorable the Toxophilite Society. 
^ The Members of the Vale District of the West 
Bucks United Archers Greeting. 

Right dutiful respect for your more Antient and most 
Honorable Society, high admiration of your well approved 
skill in Archery and gentle Courtesy witliall us thereunto 
moving we do proffer unto you most Noble Bowmen with 
all our humility The Freedom of our Society, together 
with all such rights and privileges thereunto appertaining, 
as you in your kind courtesy have conferred on us, and 
duly appreciating the right brotherly feeling of your 
honorable Members towards us, we do entreat that you 
will be pleased to accept at our hands this token of high 
consideration and esteem. 

By these presents therefore, under the hand of our 
trusty and well beloved Secretary, sealed with our Com- 
mon Seal, we do hereby give and grant unto you and 
every of you the above mentioned Freedom of our Society y 
that ye may enjoy the same unto your heart's content, 
and so we wish you farewell. 

Given at our Hall at Sparshott, this 19th day of 
June, in the year of our Lord 1834. 

Signed Henry Hippisley." 




106 ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 



|T is stated in an old work on Archery, that one of 
the Articles of the Toxophilite Society was " that, if 
any Member marry, he shall treat the rest with a marriage 
feast;'" by reference to an old Member still living, it 
appears that this was not inserted in the Society's Rules, 
but was only a verbal agreement, perfectly well under- 
stood, and obeyed. 

The records of the Society do not mention the Bow 
Meeting held June 26th, 1781, at which Mr. Feilden 
won the Captain's prize — a silver Cup — which he after- 
wards presented to the Society. 

The accounts of all the Targets shot by the Society 
since their institution in 1781, begin with the Annual 
Target shot at Canonbury House, August 28th, 1781. 

No Minutes are entered in the Society's records 
of any transaction between a Committee Meeting held 
April 15th, 1858, and one held February 13th, 1863. 

Country Members were first added to the Society 
June 27th, 1853, on these conditions, " that they be 
members of an established Archery Society, have no 
residence or place of business within 15 miles of the 
Archers' Hall, they shall not be entitled to an Ascham, 
and that their power of granting admission be restricted 
to 'personal admission." 

In Sir Ashton Lever's time, the Toxophilite Uniform 
was a single-breasted Coat of grass green, with an arrow 
engraved on the buttons ; buff Kerseymere Waistcoat, 
and small clothes ; Hessian Boots, Hat turned up on the 
right side, with black feather ; belt, bracer, and Shooting- 
glove. At the present time by Rule 10, it is ordered 



ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 107 

that " the Uniform Coat of the Society shall be single- 
breasted, of Green Cloth or Merino, with the Toxophilite 
Button, (which bears an arrow horizontally, and above 
and below respectively, the words " Pete Centrum,'') and 
the Cap to be of the same material as the Coat. Any 
Member omitting to wear the Uniform save those in 
Holy Orders, Members in mourning, or Country Mem- 
bers wearing black Coats, shooting on Target Days, 
shall forfeit 2s. 6d." 

A handsome silver-gilt Badge, bearing the Society's 
Arms, struck from the Die presented by Mr. Anon, is 
now also worn by the Members on their Caps, and may 
be obtained from the Hon. Secretary at the price of 1 8s. 

The Crests, Mottoes, and Initials of the following 
Members have been lately placed in the Windows of the 
Committee Room, not only adding beauty to the Room, 
but remaining as a source of interest to future Members 
of the Society ; and it seems a pity that every Member 
does not cause his Crest, &c., to be added to the number : 

W. Spottiswoode, W. Butt, R. Butt, P. Butt, H. 
C. Mules, E. Wilkinson, S. Banner, Thos. Dawson. 




108 ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 



Mrs. (afterwards LADY De) CRESPIGNY. 



^RS. CRESPIGNY was the daughter and heiress of 
^^^^ J. Clarke, Esq., and heiress also of T. Heaton, Esq. ; 
and married Claude Champion Crespigny, Esq., who hav- 
ing had the honor of receivin<> H. R. H. the Prince Regent 
at Champion Lodge was created a Raronet in 1805, and 
resumed the prefix of " de " before his surname, as 
formerly used by his Norman ancestors. 

The Archery Fetes at Grove House, Camberwell, 
the residence of the handsome, witty, and accomplished 
Mrs. Crespigny, Lady Patroness of the R. Toxophilite 
Society, may still live in the remembrance of some 
veteran Toxophilite. This Lady was an early and 
enthusiastic advocate for the adoption of the Bow by her 
own sex ; yet in her ardour to promote a fashionable 
amusement, she exhibited the same spirit of benevolence 
which rendered her life one lengthened scene of active 
usefulness. Selecting " utile cum dulci " as her motto, 
she very adroitly made her gay and thoughtless visitors 
contribute to the support of a Sunday School by levying 
fines on the unskilful. She was very musical and wrote 
many songs ; here are the two concluding stanzas of one 
intended to be sung by a chorus of gentlemen in which 
Archery, on the score of humanity is made to bear the 
bell from every other rural post. 

" The huntsman pursues, too, an innocent foe, 
And drives the poor suffrer with shouts to and fro, 
That, distracted by fear, and perplex'd in its way. 
Made bold by despair, e'en in death stands at bay ; 



ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 109 

So I think my good friends, I shall prove what I say, 
That the pleasures of Archery carry the day. 

Then, sons of the bow, 

'Tis meet, ere we go. 
That, to wish it success, ev'ry glass should o'erflow. 

For no devastation here follows our gain ; 

Our pleasures to no one productive of pain. 

Though we pierce through the centre, and bear off 

the prize. 
The wound never rankles, the victim ne'er dies. 
Where humanity points you will sure lead the way, 
So the pleasures of Archery carry the day. 
Then, sons of the bow, 
'Tis meet, ere we go, 
That to wish it success, ev'ry glass should o'erflow." 

Of course this specimen of Mrs. Crespigny's muse 
was a mere jeu d'esprit of the moment. This amiable 
woman addressed the following lines to Sir H, Martyn,* 
when a child, accompanied with the present of a Knife : — 

" Whilst there is so much cutting in high life, 
No present, sure, is equal to a Knife ; 
But you, dear boy, will very shortly know 
How far your cutting may in reason go. 
That tyrant, fashion, whom so many seek, 
Can only govern, unrestrained, the weak ; 
So with its follies sometimes you'll dispense. 
And never cut good humour or good sense." 

Her letters to her Son were once deservedly popular. 

Fortunate did the votary of fashion esteem himself 
who received an invitation to her Archery Breakfasts. 
The company shot ^^ games'^ as they are termed in 

» Probably this Sir H. Martyn, is the Sir H. W. Martin 
mentioned at p.p. 22 and 65, and who presented the silver Medal, 
in 1831. 



110 ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 

archer's language. 11 was the winning^ number, and 
each arrow counted as in these days, 9, 7, 5, 3, and 1. 
Tiie^targets were 100 yds. apart. When the gentlemen 
had shot, they escorted the ladies within 70 yards, and 
at that unusual distance they shot. 2s. 6d. forfeits were 
paid by the unsuccessful ; and the little orphans of the 
charity attended in dresses of grass green, the whole 
forming a very interesting group. The presence of ladies 
is now regarded as indispensable to the perfect enjoyment 
of these genuine /e/es champetres ; for the trim shaft, 
launched from the hand of some fair Toxophilite, fault- 
less in face and figure, inspires us with an enthusiasm 
which belongs not to the most adroit display of Archery 
in the^other sex. 

It was this sort of gallant admiration that inscribed 
the following record of a fair victor's achievements on 
the walls of the Royal Toxophilite banqueting room. 

"October 1st, 1790, a match was shot at Mr. 
Wyboroucjh's, Branhope Hall, Yorkshire, at 100 yards, 
between Miss Littledale, Mr. Gilpin, and Mr. Wyborough, 
in which Miss Littledale was victorious. During the 
shooting, which lasted 3 hours. Miss Littledale hit the 
gold 4 times ; and what evinces superior skill, the three 
last hits^made by Miss Littledale were all in the gold." 

" This inscription is placed in a glass frame, and 
was copied April, 1798. Banke's M.SS."* 



* There is no account of the above feat in the Society's 
records, and the glass frame is not now in their possession. Thos. 
Wyburgh was a member of the Society in 1788, 89, 90, and 
Wm. Gilpin was member from 1789 until 1803. 



ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. Ill 



Jj^HE Society's favorite Cockatoo * Charley,^ well known 
^ to and admired by all who visited the Archers' 
Hall, died on May 25th, 1867,* and the donor of the 
Bird on being made acquainted with the fact, wrote the 
following amusing letter, 

Richmond, 10th June, 1867. 
Sir, 

I am extremely obliged by your note of the 4th inst., 
conveying information of the death of the Cockatoo 
which I gave the Toxophilite Society about 36 years ago. 
And in order to comply with your request that I would 
give some facts as to his early history, I have postponed 
my reply to your communication with a view to pick up 
among the members of the family any details which 
might serve to illustrate the Biography of the illustrious 
deceased. 

I regret to state that the particulars of his early 
career in this country, as far as they have been brought 
under my notice, are extremely scanty. It is pretty 
well established that the Bird was in my Father's posses- 
sion in 1826, having been given to him by a naval friend 
about that time. It is beleived among us that " Charley " 
came from Australia, and his habit of purloining small 
articles and unconsidered trifles upon every occasion 
when he had the opportunity, did not incline his friends 
to cast any doubt on the reputed place of his incubation. 

When he came into our hands he was apparently at 
maturity, being of the same size and appearance then, 
as when I last saw him about 20 years ago. 

* Charley's head has been preserved, and was placed in the 
Banqueting Room on July 9th, 1867. 



112 ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 

He had always a great talent for mischief, and a 
considerable sense of humour, as it seemed, for when 
put on the carpet, if there were ladies in the room, he 
would make for their feet, and enjoy their alarm with 
particular satisfaction to all appearance. Sundry exploits 
at my father's expense, who used to study in his dressing 
gown and slippers, and who did not altogether appreciate 
Cocky's biting jests, caused him to be handed over to my 
care and instruction, and with very little trouble I taught 
him a few tricks. I am bound to say that although 
" Charley " came to this country in a Ship of War, he 
never when on land, indulged in that strength of language 
which is thought to be indispensable at sea. 

I think I must have taken the bird on a visit (from 
which he never returned) to the Archery Ground soon 
after 1830. Having the benefit of cheerful society there, 
he joined very soon on jovial occasions in the Hijp, Hip^ 
&c., of after dinner toasts, and being of High Tory 
poHtics in 1833, he learned to call persons who fell under 
his displeasure, " Radical Rascals,'^ but I have no doubt 
that with age and change of times he must have forgotten 
all such uncomplimentary expressions in 1867. 

I remember when Griffith Jones (the man of all 
work about the place) died, " Charley " for a long time per- 
sisted in distressing his Widow, Betty Jones, by calHng 
the defunct in to dinner at one o'clock, in imitation of 
her diurnal cry of Griff! Griff! which could be heard 
all over the grounds at Bays water at that time. The 
result for about a twelve-month was a daily burst of grief 
on poor Betty's'part. 

I have troubled you with an unconscionable letter, 
but the merits of the departed bird, and a desire to meet 
your wishes will I hope be my excuse. 

I remain Sir, 

Yours very truly, 

GLEN. F. LAYSON. 



ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 113 



^1)ULE XXIX. of the Society used to ordain that no 
C^ game or pastime except Arcliery should be exercised 
in the Toxophihte Grounds by any Member, and Mem- 
bers were liable to a heavy penalty for any infraction of 
this rule. It has been thought advisable to relax the 
strictness of this rule in favour of Croquet, provided ths 
game be so managed that it interferes in no way with the 
practice of Archery. In the Minute-book of the trans- 
actions of the Society appears the following entry arising 
out of the application of this rule : — 

"Extra Target, 26th July, 1839.— After dinner 
(an incessant rain fell throughout the day, and it was 
found impossible to proceed with the shooting, neverthe- 
less the Medals were awarded) the Chairman (W. B. 
Agot, Esq., V.P.) called the attention of the Meeting to 
an infraction of Rule 29, (prohibiting the practice of any 
game or pastime except Archery within the Society's 
Grounds) which had been committed in the course of the 
day by three Members present at table, inasmuch as he, 
the said Chairman had been a witness to Cap. J. N. 
Orton, Messrs. R. O. Binson, and Wood Ruffe, actively 
engaged in a certain diversion, commonly known under 
the name of ^ pitch and toss,' under the very porch of 
the Society's Lodge." 

" Motion made, and question put, that it be an in- 
struction to the Committee that they have cause to put 
in effect the power of fine vested in them by Rule 12. 
Members divided — Ayes, 8 ; Noes, 3." 

" Whereupon such of the Committee as were pre- 
sent ; Mr. Chairman, V. P. ; Mr. Treasurer, the Hon. 
D. F. Inch ; Mr. Secretary, Glen. F. Layson, Esq. ; Mr. 



114 RO^AL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 

Sub. Treasurer, H. P. R. Menter, Esq. ; and S. Green 
Kinson, Esq., deliberated. Motion made by Mr. 
Treasurer, and question put, that the delinquents be each 
fined in the sum of half-a-crown. Amendment proposed 
by Mr, Secretary, that the Chairman be further requested 
to admonish the transgressors in a manner suitable to the 
very great gravity of the offence. At this point, infor- 
mation was conveyed to the Committee, that the Chair- 
man had throughout acted as umpire in the illegal pastime 
in question, and therefore was particeps crimims by giving 
advice, opinions, and decisions on sundry critical points 
of the play. The Chairman in some sort admitted the 
charge. Mr. Secretary's amendment (with leave imme- 
diately withdrawn. Motion of Mr. Treasurer, also (with 
leave) withdrawn, and the following substituted, and 
question put, that the Members infractors of Rule 29, 
be fined Is. each, and the Chairman 2s. 6d., — agreed to. 
The Sub Treasurer was instructed to collect the fines, 
which were forthwith duly paid." 




ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 115 



THE PLATE AND OTHER VALUABLES. 



JTTHE most ancient piece of Plate possessed by the 
^ Society is an Arrow, 28j inches long, the stele being 
of iron very thickly plated with silver, and the barbed 
pile (1 5 in. long) of solid silver, the three feathers are 
also of solid silver. On the stele are these inscriptions : 



Sir Reginald Foster, Kt., and Bart. 
Warwick Ledgingham, Esq., 

Stewards in Finsbiiry. 
Ano. Dom. 1663. 

This Arrow was presented to the Society by Mr. 
Philip Constable.* 

Two Arrows (also presented by Mr. Constable), 
of solid silver, and each 11 oz. in weight, and 27 inches 
long ; their piles are parallel, similar to those now in use. 
On one is engraved " Mr. John Salfery won this Arrow, 
being the Captain's Prize at an eleven score target, and 
gave it to the Society of Finsbury Archers, Anno. 1751." 
On the other is engraved " Mr. James Whitworth won 
this Arrow, being the Lieutenant's Prize at an eleven 
score target, and gave it to the Society of Finsbury 
Archers, Anno. 1751-2." Both these Arrows bear the 
London Assay Office mark, 1751-2. 



* Mr. Constable was an original member in 1781; he is 
mentioned in the Hon. Daines Barrington's Essay on Archery, in 
the 7th Vol. of * Archaologiaf' as one of the oldest Finsbury Archers. 



116 ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 

A silver Shield or Badge, (also presented by Mr. 
Constable), weighing about 25 oz. It is of an irregular ' 
upright oval shape 14 J inches high, and 12 inches broad. 
In the oval centre stands an Archer, in relief, dressed in 
the uniform of the Archers' Company of the Hon. Artillery 
Company; his Bow is fully drawn, and he is on the point 
of discharging his arrow, which has the military barbed 
pile ; in the back ground are two Companies of similar 
Archers attacking a fortified place. The principal figure 
of the central design is 6 inches high, and above it in the 
clouds is this inscription " Reginae Catherinse Sagitary." 
Above this oval centre is a shield with the Arms of 
England and Portugal, surmounted by a Crown, and 
supported by the Lion and Umcorn, with the mottoes 
" Honi soit qui mal y pense." " Dieu et mon Droit." 
Two figures, 7 inches high, in Roman Costume, 
with their bows unstrung, stand on each side of the 
Shield, on scroll work intermixed with oak, vine, and 
other leaves ; beneath the central figure is a trophy of 
bows and arrows, and a scroll thus inscribed " Ed. Hun- 
gerford of ye Hon. order of ye Bath Kt., Ashfield, Gen. 
Stewards, Anno. Domini 1676." 

A silver Cup, gilt inside, 6 inches high, and weigh- 
ing 8 J oz., with the London Assay Office mark, 1788-9. 
On one side is engraved " This Cup was won by Henry 
Fielden, Esq., as Captain's Prize. 26th June, 1781,* and 
by him presented to the Toxophilite Society." On the 
other is engraved Mr. Fielden's Coat of Arms. 

A silver Cup, gilt inside, almost 6 inches high, and 
weighing 8| oz., with the London Assay Office mark, 
1782-3. On one side is engraved " This Cup was won 
by Thos. Xiowten, Esq., as Captain's Prize, August 3rd., 
1782, and by him presented to the Toxophilite Society." 
On the other is engraved Mr. Lowten's Arms. 



* The records of the Society do not give an account of this 
meeting. 



ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 117 

A silver Cup,* gilt inside, 6| inches high, and 
weighing 10 oz., with Edinburgh Assay Office mark, 
1804-5. A border of vine leaves and grapes is engraved 
under the rim. 

A silver-gilt Arrow, 28 inches long with an iron 
tapering pile, having two large Medals attached to its 
feathers by strong chains, and weighing 19j oz. It has 
the London Assay Office mark, 1 794-5. On the obverse 
of one Medal is engraved "The silver Arrow presented 
to the Toxophilite Society by Thomas Palmer, Esq., 
is to be shot for by the winners at four annual contests. 
The Butts down 27, 15, 10, and 4 inches. 12 double 
ends at each length. Won by John Crunden, Esq., 1799, 
with 45 hits." On the reverse is engraved 





r. 


h. 




Hastings Elwin 


16 


6 


1795 




12 


7 






8 


15 






4 


15 






Total 


43 




William Palmer 


16 


7 


1796 




12 


8 






8 


6 






4 


21 






Total 


42 




John Crunden 


16 


12 


1797 




12 


13 






8 


9 






4 


12 





Total 46 

* There is no inscription upon this Cup, and no mention of 
it can be found in the Society's records. 



118 ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 

Peter Cazalet 16 12 1798 

12 12 

8 12 
4 6 

Total 42* 

On the obverse of the other Medal is engraved 
" This Arrow bearing the marks of Thomas Pahner, and 
John Crunden, Esqrs., is again presented by the Hon. 
Daniel Finch, to whom it was bequeathed by the late 
winner, to be shot for in the year 1838, by any of the 
members who, at one of the 4 annual contests shot as on 
the former occasions, shall have scored 40, but not to be 
won with. less than 45 hits."'!' On the reverse it is blank. 

Twelve silver Medals, weighing altogether 5j oz. 
On the obverses of the Medals are engraved respectively, 
1st. The annual Captain's Prize was won by Henry 
Fielden, Esq., August 28th, 1781. 2nd. The annual 
Captain's Prize was won by Charles Sherwin, Esq., 
August 12th, 1788. 3rd. The annual Captain's Prize 
was won by Thomas Lowten, Esq., August 3rd, 1782. 
4th. The Annual Captain's Prize was won by Thomas 
Waring, Esq., August 12th, 1784. 5th. A duplicate of 
the preceding but smaller. 6th. The annual Captain's 
Prize was won by Robert Fielden, Esq., August 6th, 
1785. 7th. A duplicate of the preceding but smaller. 
8th. The annual Captain's Prize was won by Charles 
Wright, Esq., August 3rd, 1786. 9th. The annual 
Captain's Prize was won by George Biggin, Esq., June 
11th, 1787. 10th. The annual Captain's Prize was won 



* The Arms of Thomas Palmer are engraved in the centre of 
the Medal, around which, the ahove names and figures are arranged 
in concentric circles. 



f The ahove conditions have never heen complied with, the 
shooting at the 4 annual preliminary contests having always fallen 
below the standard. 



ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 119 

by Geo. Fred. Parry, Esq., June 13th, 1788. 11th. 
The annual Captain's Prize was won by Geo. Fred. 
Parry, Esq., June 5th, 1789. 12th. The annual Cap- 
tain's Prize was won by Robert Fielden, Esq., June 5th, 
1790. All these Medals, with the exception of Mr. 
Biggin's have on the reverses the ^ Coats of Arms^ of the 
respective winners. Mr. Biggin's reverse is blank.* 

The Crunden Bugle is of silver, weighs 8 oz., and 
has the London Assay Office mark 1795-6. It bears 
this inscription "the Bugle was presented to the Tox- 
ophilite Society by George Prince of Wales, 1795 ; won 
by John Crunden, Esq., and bequeathed to the Hon. 
Daniel Finch and by him given to the said Society, to be 
won by the Crunden Member, 1835." 

A handsome silver Medal weighing 2 oz., with the 
London Assay Office mark 1836-7. On one side is this 
inscription " For merit, presented by Sir H. W. Martin, 
1836." On the reverse is a trophy composed of different 
Archery Equipments in high relief, there is a wreath of 
oak leaves in high relief around each side.-t" 

The Crunden Cup, — a very handsome and massive 
piece of silver Plate, weighing 65 J oz., with the London 
Assay Office mark 1 835-6, hexagonal in form, having 
three gold and two silver Medals (vide page 40) intro- 
duced into five of its sides, the handle being on the sixth. 
The Cup bears no inscription beyond those on the Medals, 
and the names of the respective Winners and their hits, 



* These Medals were made for the Society, each apparently 
being in duplicate, one being given to the Captain, and one being 
retained by the Society. Out of the 12 Medals now in possession 
of the Society, 8 are single, and the other 4 are in duplicate, being 
those of Waring and Fielden, i.e., the Society holds that which 
belonged to the Captain, as well as it's duplicate. 

t Sir H. W. Martin, Bt., was a member from 1793 to 1839, and 
was Vice-President in 1812. 



120 ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 

which are annually engraved on it. It was made for the 
Society in 1836, in memory of Mr. John Crunden.* 

A handsome silver gilt practice challenge Medal, 
presented in 1866, by E. Wilkinson, Esq., it weighs ij 
oz., and Clasps with the winners' names and scores are 
now added to it. 

A silver Wine Strainer, weighing 5 oz., with the 
LondonAssay Office mark 1788-9. The Society's Arms, 
Crest, and Supporters are engraved on it, with the in- 
scription "presented to the Society by Mr. Charles 
Calvert, May 11th, 1789." J 

Six Decanter Labels, three being for Wine, dated 
1791-2; and three for Spirits, 1792-3. || 

The * Barker Bugle ' is of silver, and weighs 6 J oz., 
with the London Assay Office mark 1834-5. On it is 
inscribed 'presented by A. R. Barker, 1834." The 
Society's Coat of Arms is engraved between two branches 
of oak.l[ 

The silver *Arm Guard or Bracer,' weighs 3 oz., on 
it is engraved " presented by the Hon. Daniel Finch, to 
be won by the Field Captain for the time being ; 192 
Arrows at 100 yards, &c." 

* Mr. John Crunden became a member in 1788, was an 
honorary member in 1835, and died in 1836. 

X Mr. Calvert became a member in 1786, and after 1797 his 
name is not in the records. 

[i These are mentioned in the list of the Society's val- 
uables in 1804, as having been presented by Mr. Haworth, who 
was an original member in 1781, and was the first Vice-President, 
and remained a member till 1807. 

^ Mr. A. R. Barker became a member in 1810, Treasurer in 
1313, and was an Hon. member in 1835. 



ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 121 

A handsome silver Cup, weighing 49 oz., with the 
London Assay Office mark 1834-5 . On it is this inscrip- 
tion in raised letters, " the Gift of His Majesty "William 
the 4th, 1834." Engraved round the bottom is "won 
by John Norton, Esq., 1834, and by him presented to 
the Toxophilite Society."* 

A handsome silver Cup, weighing 51 oz., with the 
London Assay Office mark 1836-7. On it is this inscrip- 
tion in raised letters, " the Gift of His Majesty William 
the 4th, 1836."1| 

The Hon. Secretary's ' Badge of Office,' is of silver, 
and weighs Ij oz. It consists of two cross Pens, each 
nearly 4 inches long, and connected by a ribbon scroll of 
silver. This ornament is now added as a pendant to a 
wide green ribbon forming a Collar, upon which is also 
fixed a massive silver-gilt Star, weighing about 3^ oz., 
and with the London Assay Office mark 1794-5. The 
circular centre is 2 J inches in diameter with 6 large and 
6 smaller radiations surrounding it. On one side is a 
bugle with bow and quiver, and a blank scroll surrounded 
by oak leaves. On the other side is engraved the figure 
of an Archer and beneath it the following names, &c. — 

J. H. Greene, 45 H. Elwin, 39 

Rt. Glen, 43 R. F. Richards, 39 

T. Perrott, 35l[ 

The ' Budworth Bugle ' is very handsome and silver 
gilt, probably of foreign workmanship, weighing about 

* This Cup was presented by Captain J. Norton in 1860, and 
is annually competed for as a Challenge Cup. 

II This Cup was also won by Captain J. Norton, and presen- 
ted by him to the Society in 1846, it has no Challenge owner, 
though both Cups are called the Norton Cups. 

^ No record can he found of any contest in which these five 
gentlemen scored the hits added as above to their names ; it is 
supposed the above Star was won at Dulwich, June 12th, ITS'!;. 



122 ROyAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 

12 oz., with its silver-gilt chain. It has no inscription, 
but is ornamented with raised bands surrounding it, and 
enclosing a scroll of oak leaves. 

A Toxophilite Challenge Medal, which, with it's 
appointments, is of solid gold, weighing Ij oz., and is 
attached to a green silk ribbon ; it was presented in 
1865 by a member who at present assumes the name 
of Mr. Anon'; gold clasps with the winners' names are 
annually added to it. 

Nine silver-gilt Toxophilite Medals, each weighing 
1| oz., attached to green silk ribbons, having handsomely 
engraved silver-gilt clasps with distinctive ornaments, 
also presented in 1865-6 and 7 by Mr. Anon. They 
are to be won respectively by the Captain of Targets, 
the Field Captain, the First Lieutenant, the Crunden 
Member, the Barker Member, the Second Lieutenant, 
the Treasurer, the Hon. Secretary, the maker of the 
greatest gross score at 80 yards, on the third extra Tar- 
get Day ; and the maker of the greatest gross score at 
60 yards on the fourth extra Target Day. 

A similar silver-gilt Medal, to be worn by the 
Bud worth Member, presented by the present Hon. Sec. 
in 1866. 

A steel Die for a silver-gilt Badge, to be worn by 
the Members, presented by Mr. i^NON in 1866. 

Two steel Dies, with the Arms of the Society, for 
stamping note paper, presented by Mr. Anon in 1866. 




ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 123 



ADDENDUM. 

|HE following account of the 6th * Ladies' Day ' ex- 
tracted from the ' Field,' was accidentally omitted 
at p. 89 :— 

" The gentlemen who are Members of this Society 
gave, on Tuesday, July 12th, their annual entertainment 
with its liberal and courteous encouragement, to the 
ladies united with them in the appreciation of one of the 
healthiest, most innocent, and most agreeable of pastimes, 
of one of the most interesting of pursuits ; for Archery 
taken up now and then, merely as a harmless recreation, 
is good, because it is carried on in the open air, and 
because it exercises muscles otherwise indolent, in a 
manner conducive to health ; and on the other hand it is 
capable when the Archer makes it his object to handle 
his weapon with all the dexterity required for its proper 
use, of calling out many excellent faculties of the mind. 

" The Man who would be a perfect Archer must 
study to be perfect in temper and in nerve ; he must look 
for vigour and resolution, he must seek to be patient 
under his reverses, he must learn to take the roughest 
truths from his target in the gentlest spirit, he must 
know how to repent and begin anew ; he must be neither 
elated by success nor cast down by failure ; he must bear 
and forbear, for any undue emotion, whether in the 
fulness of pride or the exhaustion of despondency, will 
communicate itself through the ways of the heart, along 
the fibres of the arm, down to the tender points of the 
fingers which press the bowstring ; and therefore who 
would shoot well must have their emotions well under 



124 ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 

command. The cultivation of such qualities as these 
must be for the good of all society, and all society should 
be grateful to those who encourage it. Or if we look at 
it from another point of view, Archery is one of the 
prettiest of amusements ; it is equally becoming to men 
and to women ; it adds charms to the beauty of youthj 
while it is not unworthy of the serious interest of the 
mature in age. Such a pursuit should be welcome any 
where, and especially in London, where the wholesome 
exercise in the quiet garden, the shelter from noise and 
dust, and the relief of the green sward under the pres- 
sure of the feet instead of the hard unrelenting pavement, 
is a boon to be much desired ; and where a change from 
the eternal business of visiting and shopping must bring 
a blessing with it to the victims of that severe discipline. 

" The Royal Toxophilite Garden in the Regent's- 
park, though not large, accommodated comfortably the 
shooters (numbering 68) and their friends who were invited 
to be present on this occasion ; and the weather — so 
often the archer's enemy — was a friend this day— kind, 
generous, and liberal, lavish in favour, showing no frown, 
free from cloudy threats, not marring the fair presence 
of happy sunshine with the fear of rain ; and under such 
an influence the scene was bright and alluring. The 
glowing colour of the well-ordered flower-beds suggested 
the thought of rural delights without a hint of the faults 
of a city atmosphere, and the grass was deliciously green 
on which the candidates advanced to take their places at 
the targets, in pretty variety of costume, in gay emula- 
tion, in the joyous stir of hope and expectation, tempered 
with a moderate doubt, for women are not in general 
much inclined to self-sufficiency (vanity being the very 
reverse of that quality), and the teaching of the target 
has a tendency to check any excess of conceit, wherever 
it may exist. 

" Now came the cheerful sound of the successful hit, 
the frequent thud in the central ring, and the delicate 
music of the stretched bowstring. Now many faces 



ROYAL TOXOPHILITE SOCIETY. 125 

watched the flight of the arrow with deepening interest, 
and saw it take its right place with radiant pleasure : and 
when the shooting of the 4 doz. arrows at 60 yds. was 
completed, figures were added up and compared, and 
whispers went about naming the winner of the first prize. 
After this little pause, with new hope and animation, the 
competition began at the shorter distance of 50. As 
soon as the two dozen arrows here — which complete the 
ladies' round — were shot, a handicap match was arranged, 
which gave fresh opportunities for distinction, and the 
proceedings terminated with the distribution of prizes — 
a pleasant task, well fulfilled by Mr. Edward Headlam. 
The prizes were worthy of the skill that contended for 
them, and gave evident satisfaction to the winners ; and 
so the throng that had for a few hours broken the silence 
of the garden gradually dispersed, as gaily as they had 
come, and the afternoon closed pleasantly, with a general 
hope that, though this day was done, it was to have many 
renewals in summers yet to come." 



FINIS CORONAT OPUS. 



ERRATA AND ADDITIONS. 

Page 9. Third paragraph, fourth line. For "W. 
P. Constable," read "Mr. P. Constable." 

Page 15. Third paragraph, fourth line. — For 
" Kentish Bowmen," read " Royal Kentish Bowmen." 
Ninth line.~For "W. Haworth," read "Rd. Haworth, 
M.D., (a member in 1781 to 1807)." 

Page 18. First paragraph, fourth and fifth lines. — 
" Mr- Glen, Gl hits,— 64s. 6d. ; Mr. Cazalet, 50 hits ; 
Mr. Elwin, 49 hits." Eighth and ninth lines.— Omit 
"Members 75; Income £305 10s. lid.; Expenses 
£294 lis. lO^d." Instead of the words "Score," in 
head-lines, read " Hits." 

Page 19. Instead of the words " Score," in head- 
lines, read " Hits." Target No. 4.— For " Mr. Hussard," 
read "Mr. Hassard." 

Page 21. Records for 1805, first line. — For "at 
Bedford Square," read "near Bedford Square." 

Page 26. Ninth paragraph, last line. — For " Bolt," 
read " Bott." 

Page 28. Sixth paragraph, first line. — For " Bolt," 
read " Bott." 

Page 29. Last paragraph, last line. — For " many- 
points," read on any points." 

Page 37. Fourth paragraph, fifth line. — Add after 
"Esq.," "now Rev. E. Meyrick." 

Page 39. Head-line of List A. — For " are inser- 
ted," read "are inscribed." 

Page 42. Annual Target, 1782.— For " Lowton," 
read " Lowten." 

Page 46. Target No. 3.— For "Mr. Hansard," 
read "Mr. Hassard" 

Page 47. Third Prince's Prize Target. — For 
" Mr. Hansard," read " Mr. Hassard." 

Page 51. Ninth Prince's Prize Target. — Add 
after "Mr. Porter," "afterwards Sir R. K. Porter." 

Page 94. The 9th Ladies' Day, " 48 Ladies shot." 



•:^ 



